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THIS BOOK
FORMS PART OF THE
ORIGINAL LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

BOUGHT IN EUFIOPE

1838 TO 1839

BY
ASACRAYi

/ (

lik

. H..

^1*

CHEVALIER BAYARD.

L N p N ;

PRIMED BY C. POWORTir, BELL VARD,
TEMPLE BAR.

THE

RIGHT JOYOUS AND PLEASANT HISi'Q^

OF THE

1 Pi G

— ^

FEATS, GESTS, AND PROWESSES

OF THE

CHEVALIER BAYARD,

THE GOOD KNIGHT WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT REPROACH.

BY THE LOYAL SERVANT.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON :
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

MDCCCXXV.

PREFACE.

Pierre Terrail or du Terrail, ki)own by the
name of Bayard^ and surnamed Le Chevalier
sans^peur et sans reproche, was born in 1476, at
the Castle of Bayard in Dauphiny, The pedigree
of the Lords of Terrail is not presented to the
reader, as their House is no longer in existence :
suffice it to say that it was allied to all that was
great and illustrious both in Dauphiny and in the
neighbouring provinces. The reader who would
be interested in further details, may consult the
last editions of Moreri, or the genealogical table
of the House of Terrail, inserted by the President
Expilly in the Supplement to the History of
Bayard.

The wounds which Aymon Terrail, father of
the Chevalier, received in defending his country,
obliged him to quit the service. He died in 1496,

vi PREFACE,

leaving, by his marriage with Helene AUeman^ or
des Allemans^ four sons and four daughters,

Georges, the eldest, married Jeanne d'Arvillars,
and had by her a daughter, who appointed her
mother her general legatee* Pierre, Aymon's
second son, is the subject of the present History.
The third became Abbot of Josaphat, near
Chartres, and the fourth was promoted to the
Bishoprick of Glandeves.

Of the daughters two embraced the monastic
state ; another was married to Jacques Dupont,
Lord of Aly in Savoy, and the yoimgest to
Antoine de Theis, Lord of La Blayette*

Were not the Chevalier Bayard one of those
extraordinary men of whom the annals of all
nations furnish few examples, it would only be
necessary to say that he was page to Louis de
Luxembourg, Count of Ligny ; that he was raised
by that Lord to the rank of gendarm in his com-
pany ;. that Lewis XII. named him Captain of a
thousand foot ; that he was appointed Lieutenant
General of Dauphiny; finally, that Francis I.
made him a Knight of his Order of St. Michel,
and gave him a company of an hundred of his
ordinary men at arms : the enumeration of these
different military degrees would doubtless suffice

PREFACE. Vll

to honour the memory of a distinguished soldiea*,
but it is not enough for that of Bayard. An
accomplished Knight at an epoch when chivalry
was daily degenerating; bom to be the ornament
of any time or country in which he might have
lived ; esteemed, beloved, and feared by nations
hostile to France; qualified in all respects to
command armies, yet haying always served under
others without betraying either sj^en or jealousy ;
constantly advised with by the ablest generals ;
in councils winning every one to his opinioB,
because he was neither presumptuous nor severe;
cheerfully undertaking the most hazardous expe-
ditions, though he knew that his chiefs would
enjoy all the credit pf them ; never seeking any

thing but the good of the state; such was

Bayard. His mind was early imbued with the
principles of a morality as sane as it was pro-
foundly reflective. A Gentleman asked him,
'* What goods ought the noble man to leave to
his children ?" " Those which fear neither rain,
nor storm, nor the power of man, nor human
justice," replied Bayard ; " wisdom and virtue."

He often repeated that " the best Lordship a
Gentleman can have is to be connected with vir-
tuous persons. The greatest misfortune for a

Vlll PREFACE.

Lord/' added he, ** is to be surrounded by vicious
and ignorant men, seeing that there is nothing so
dangerous as boldness and power accompanied
by lack of knowledge."

In an age when the amusements of the nobility
' presented therough image of war, Bayard, proud
to be the defendant of a sex he adored, appeared
as formidable by his skiUin those games which
were graced by a respectful gallantry, as ih the
midst of the most bloody combats: the Lady
whose colours he wore might repose her honour
upon the loyalty pf her Knight alone, by whom
the laws of courtesy were obeyed with reUgious
care. Modesty and innocence never implored his
protection in vain: it may even be said that the
prayers of weeping beauty were to him supreme
commands. Wherever he saw virtue struggling
-with misfortune he deemed it an honour to stretch
forth the hand of succour. Indigent nobility had
the highest claim to his benefits ; and it was not
known till hia death of what numbers of families
he had been the support.

How often did he groan over the fate of those
unhappy victims of the quarrels of sovereigns,
who, peacefully employed in agriculture, and
obtaining no share in the glory of a brilliant con-

PREFACE. IX

quest, are alone sacrificed in their possessions,
and often in their honoinr, to the ambition and
cupidity of an unjust and cruel soldier! After
the campaign of 1521, he returned to Grenoble.
The command of this town had been intrusted to
him, and a pestilential disease made dreadful
ravages there. The Knight without fear and
without reproach thought it not enough that the
poor, infected with the contagion, should receive
medical aid at his expense ; his beneficence would
not lose sight of them till it was ascertained that
they had regained health and strength sufficient
to supply their necessities. So long as he was a
gendarm all his companions had in him a brother
and a friend ; advanced to distinguished stations
he became a father to them, and if ever he
desired wealth it was but to share it with them.
Intrepid in action, he never wanted presence of
mind when it was needful either to foresee danger,
or devise the means of escaping it. So well known
were his modesty, his talents, his zeal for the
public welfare, that men, his superiors in rank, or
semors in respect to th^ date of their services,
deemed it no humiliation to fight under his orders.
. Contemporary as he was with Xa Tremouille,
liouis d'Ars, Chaumont d'Amboise, d'Aubigny,

X PREFACE,

Chabannes^ and many other celebrated officers,
their reputations eclipsed not his. Most of them
were at the head of armies : he never commanded
in chief except at the defence of M^zi^res ; he
knew that by dint of solicitation only are men
advanced at the courts of Princes, and his pride
would never bend to the suppleness of intrigue.
Yet had he solicited. Bayard would not have been
refused. Kings, courtiers, ministers, all respected,
because they knew how to appreciate him; but,
satisfied with being useful to his master, he
modestly hastened to .place himself under the
banners of the General that was pointed out to
him, and such was the effect of his presence that
it seemed to exalt the courage of the soldiers and
the capacity of the General. So thought young
Gaston de Foix, whom death snatched away
covered with laurels at an age when others can
only hope to gather them.

Let it not be forgotten that Bayard was one of
those officers who, in the reign of Lewis XII.,
contributed to form a national infantry in France.
It had previously been composed of none but
foreigners ; Bayard, who, tike his sovereign, had
calculated the advantages of this establishment.

PREFACE. Xi

devoted himself to a kind of service which habit
and prejudice militated against.

Never did the opinion that was entertained of
his experience manifest itself more clearly than at
the moment when his being shut up in Mezieres
became publicly known. No one then doubted
of the preservation of that town. Among the
Lords who flew to share the danger^ it is proper
to distinguish Anne de Montmorency, afterward
Constable, and at that time Captain of a company
of gendarms; " I account it an honour/' said he,
on presenting himself, *' to serve under so great
and so renowned a leader.''

Bayard must questionless have been highly flat-
tered when at Marignano he conferred the Order
of Knighthood on Francis I. But that monarch
testified the esteem with which he honoured him
in a far more expressive manner when, on hearing
Ihe news of his death, he exclaimed : " Knight
Bayard, what a loss shall I sustain in you !" This
loss he learned to estimate still better in process
of time. Oppressed with grief and disquietude
during his captivity, he said to Montchenu, his
head steward : ** Had Bayard, who was valiant
and experienced, been aUve and near me my
affairs would doubtless have taken a better turn :

Xii PREFACE.

I should have listened to his counsels: Ah! I
should not have been here now !"

Bayard's courage never forsook him. Mortally
wounded in the retreat from Romagnano he would
not suffer his companions to carry him away, as
they were preparing to do : " having never
turned his back to the enemy he was resolved not
to begin now he was a-dying." Afterward, ad-
dressing himself to Jacques Jouffrey, Gentleman
of S. Chef in Dauphiny, " Let me," said he, " be
laid down at the foot of this tree, and place me so
that I may have my face to the enemy."

Thus died Bayard, mourned by his friends, by
the whole army, and by all France. Pass we now
to his history.

The person who composed it is only known by
the tiame of the Loyal Servant ; and that he was
Bayard's Secretary is all that can be ascertained
concerning him. This history appeared in 1527,
under the title of La trh-joyeuse and plaisante
histoirey composee par le Loyal Serviteur, des
fattSy gesteSy et prouesses du bon Chevalier sans
peur et sans reproche. In 1616 Theodore Gode-
froy published an edition in quarto, with remarks
and annotations. In 1650 a new one appeared
at Grenoble, which the President de Boissieu,

PREFACE. xm

a descendant by the female line of the House of
Terrail, published under the name of Louis
Videl, Secretary of the Constable Lesdiguieres^

So celebrated a name as that of Bayard could
not but inspire more than one writer with a desire
of devoting their pens to his service. The phy-
sician Symphorien Champier^ who boasted him-
self connected by his wife with the family of Ter-
rail^ published a Life of Bayard in 15^5. The
advocate Aymar wrote the History of this Captain
in 1699; but these works^ interlarded with
romantic adventures^ contain only a part of the
actions of their hero. Two writers of the
eighteenth century have also given us histories of
Bayard; Lazare Bocquillot/ who assumed the*
name of Prior of Lonval, iand Guyard de BerviUe.
There is no need to pronounce upon the merits of
these works^ but one observation may be made
which will extend to both : the libraries of France
contain a number of ancient works which^ spite of
the defects of an obsolete style, of vicious con-
structions, and expressions' proscribed by custom,
possess a charm that the efforts of modern good
taste can never compensate. Of this number is
the present history of Bayard.

Ever Uvely, ever pleasant, ever equal, the Loyal

•

XIV PREFACE,

Servant is so possessed with the spirit of his
master, and has so naturally transcribed that ori-
ginal naivete which characterized him, that at
every page the reader sees Bayard, hears, and
converses with him. The merit of this history,
however, is sufficiently evidenced by the reputa-
tion it enjoys.* " I wish," said one of our old
French moralists to his son, '^ the Life of Bayard
to be the first history you read, and give me an
account of. Try to imitate that hero as far as
you are able. None but a good copy can be
made of so wondrous an original. If you cannot
attain to his vidour, which is not to be rivalled,
be faithful to your Prince, and courteous like
him." " In the work of the Loyal Servant," re-
marks M. Gaillard in his History of Francis I.,
^^ the soul of the hero seems to contain all the
virtues without any mixture of defects. One
might believe, either that the author has been
blinded by his zeal, or that he was desirous of
presenting mankind with a chimerical and inimi*
table model, were not his account confirmed by
that of all contemporary historians. Frenchmen or
fi)reigners.^'

* Extract from the Testajnent, or Faithful Counsels of a good
father to his duldren, by P. Fortin, Sieur de la Hoguette.

* PREFACE. XT

The Translation now offered to the public has
been made fron^Godefroy's Edition; the Preface
and Notes are taken from that of 1786^ in the
General Collection of Memoirs relative to the
History of France.

MEMOIRS

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD,

CHAPTER I.

Haw the Lord qf Bayard, father of the good Knight without
fear and without reproach, wished to learn from his chil-
dren of what 'profession they would-be.

In the country of Dauphiny, which the King of
France at present possesses, as his predecessors
have done for seven or eight score years, since
Humbert, the last Dauphin, made it over to them
by way of gift, are many good and great Houses
of Gentlemen, whence such a number of noble and
virtuous Knights have issued that their fame is
spread throughout all Christendom. Insomuch
that, as scarfet is the most excellent of all hues of

VOL. I. B

2 MEMOIRS OF

cloth, without disparaging the nobility of other
lands^ the Dauphinese have been called, by all
who had any knowledge of them, the Scarlet of
the Gentlemen of France. Among which Houses
is that of Bayard, of ancient and noble extraction,
as by those who have come of it hath been
clearly demonstrated. For at the battle of Poic-
tiers the great great grandfather of the good
Knight without fear and without reproach died
at the feet of King John of France. At the battle
of Cressy his great grandfather was slain. At
the battle of Montlehery his grandfather remained
on the field with six mortal wounds, beside others:
and at that of Guineguaste his father was so badly
wounded, that he could never after leave his own
house, where he died full eighty years of age. A
few days before his decease, considering that, by
nature, which already began to fail in him» he could
make no long sojourning in this, mortal state> he
called four children that he had, into the presence
of bis wife, a very godly and devout Lady, sister to
the Bishop of Grenoble, of the hou^e of the Aik-
mans. His children having appeared before.him^ he.
asked the eldest, who was about eighteen or twenty
years old, what he wished to be. He replied, tlia.t
his desire was never to leave the house, but to serve

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 3

him at the end of his days. " Very weU, George/'
said the father, " since thou lovest the house, thou
shalt stay here to fight the bear§." The second,
which was the good Knight without fear and
without reproach, a lad about thirteen years of
age or little more, blithe as a lark, and of a laugh-
ing countenance, being asked what calling he
should prefer, replied, as though he were fifty
years old : " My Lord and father, although filial
piety maketh it a bounden duty in me to forego
all things for the sake of serving you at the end
of your life, nevertheless, so deeply graven in my
heart are the good discourses wiich you daily
hold respecting the noble men of times past, espe-
cially those of our House, that I am resolved, if it
be your plciasure, to embrace that profession which
you and your predecessors have been of, the pro-
fession of arms ; for this is the thing which I most
affect, and I hope, with the grace of God, to do
you no dishonour." Then the good old man
rephed weeping ; " My child, God grant that it
may be so ! In countenance and figure thou
already resemblest thy grandfather, who was in
his time one of the best Knights in Christendom.
I will therefore take care to put thee in a way of
obtaining thy desire." Of the third he inquired

4 MEMOIRS OF '

what way of life he chose to enter upon, who
replied^ that he inclined to that of his uncle, the
Lord of Esnay, an abbey near Lyons. His
father gave him leave to follow his inclination,
and sent him by a kinsman of his to his said
uncle, who made him a monk, and afterwards, by
means of the good Knight his brother, he became
Abbot of Josaphat in the suburbs of Chartres.
The youngest replied in the same way, that he
was desirous of being as his uncle, my Lord of
Grenoble, to whom he was likewise given, and
by him made Canon of Notre Dame; and after-
wards, by the same means that his brother the
monk became an Abbot, did he become Bishop of
Glandesve in Provence. Now let us leave the
other three brothers, and return to the history of
the good Knight without fear and without re-
proach, and of the way in which his father
managed his affair.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD.

CHAPTER II.

How the father of the good Knight xvithoutfear and without
reproach sent for his brother-in-law, the Bishop of Gre-^
noble, in order to confer with htm, because he could not
leave his own house.

After the discourse held by the father of the
good Knight to his four children, by reason that he
.was no longer able to ride on horseback, he sent
one of his servants the next day, to Grenoble, to
request of the Bishop, his brother-in-law, that he
would be pleased to transport himself to his house
of Bayard, distant from the said Grenoble five or
six leagues, he having some things to communicate
to him: which the good Bishop, who was never in
his life indisposed to do any one a pleasure, com-
plied with right willingly. He departed therefore,
immediately upon receipt of the letter, and came
to spend the night at the house of Bayard, where
he found his brother-in-law sitting in a chair near
the fire, as people of his age are commonly wont to
do. Having interchanged greetings, they passed

b MEMOIRS OF

that evening as pleasantly as possible in one an-
other's company, and in that of divers Gentlemen
who were assembled there. Then in due season
they retired, each to his chamber, and took their
repose till the next morning, when they got up, and
heard mass chanted by ^;he Bishbp of Grenoble.
For he said mass every day, and with right
good will, unless he were prevented by sickness.
Would to God that the prelates of these times
were as good servants of the Lord, and as charitable
to the poor, as he was in his day !

Divine service being ended, they washed their
hands and sat down to table, where immediately
every one made excellent cheer, and the good
Knight waited upon them so discreetly and pro-
perly, that every one spoke well of him. At the
end of the dinner, after grace had been said, the
good old man, , Lord of Bayard, began thus to
address all the company. " My Lord, and you,
Gentlemen, it is time to declare the occasion of my
having you called hither : for you are my relations
and friends, and I am^ as you see, worn out with
age, insomuch that it is scarce possible for me to
live two years longer. Grod hath given me four
sons, of each of whom I have inquired what way of
life he wishes to pursue : among the rest my son

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD, 7

Peter hath told me that he desires to embrace the
profession of anns^ whereby he hath given ttie ex-
ceeding pleasure. For he entirely resembles in
his outward make^ my late Lord and father your
kisrisn^n ; and if in disposition he will also resem-
ble him^ it is impossible that he should not become
a great and good man ; which I believe every one
©f you, as my worthy friends and relations, would
be heartily rejoiced at. It-is necessary that I should
place him at his outset in the House of some Prince
or Lord, in order that he may learn to conduct
himself properly, and when he is a little older he
shall be instructed in the profession of arms. I
therefore pray you> that you will all give me
counsel, each in his turn, what House I may best
stablish him in."

Then said one of the most ancient of the
Gentlemen, " He must be sent to the King of
France." Another observed that he would do very
well in the House of Bourbon. And thus, from
one to the other^ there was none anlong them thai
delivered not his opinion. But the Bishop of Gre-
noble spoke, aiid said : " My brother, you know
that a close friendship subsists. between us and
Charles, Duke of Savoy, and he reckons us of the
number of his good servants. I believe that he

8 MEMOIRS OF

will take him with pleasure for one of his pages.
He is at Chamberry, near this place. If it seem
good to you and to the company, I will take him
thither to-morrow mornings after having put him in
proper trim, and furnished him with a good little
horse, which I got three or four days since of the
Lord of Riage."

The proposal of the Bishop of Grenoble was
approved by all the company, especially by the
Lord of Bayard, who delivered to him his son, say-
ing; f^^ Here he is, my Lord ; I pray God to speed
you so well with him, that he may do you honour
in his life."

Immediately thereupon the Bishop sent to the
town to seek his tailor, whom he ordered to bring
velvet, satin, and other necessary materials, where-
with to fit oiut the good Knight. He came and
worked all night, so that next morning everything
was ready. After having breakfasted, young
Bayard mounted his horse, and presented himself
to all the company, which were in the lower court
of the Castle, equipped just as if he were to be
presented forthwith to the Duke of Savoy. The
horse, feeling so light a burden on him, and being
moreover pricked by the child with his spurs,
made three or four leaps, whereat the company

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 9

were afraid that he would do the boy a mischief.
But while they were expecting to hear him cry
out for help, he, with a noble heart, as bold as a
lion, when he found the horse make such a stir
under him, spurred him three or four times, and
caused him to gallop within the said court ; inso-
much that he brought the animal under as well as
if he had been thirty years old. It heed not be
asked whether the good old man were pleased ; and
smiling with joy he asked his son if he were not
i^aid: forhehadleftschoolhardlyafortnight. He
answered with a steady countenance : " My Lord,
I hope, with God's aid, before si^ years are over,
to make either him or some other bestir himself
in a more dangerous place. For here t am among
friends, and I »haU then be among the enemies of
the master whom I shall serve.*' " Now come
along," said the good Bishop of Grenoble, who was
ready to depart: " dismount not, my nephew and
friend, but take leave of all the company.*' Then
the young child addressed his father with a jojrful
countenance, and said : " My Lord and father, I
pray God to give you a happy and a long life,
and me such grace that, ere He take you out
of this world, you may hear good things of me."
" My friend," said the father, " I pray Hini for the

10 MEMOIRS OF

same ;'' and then he gave him his blessing. After-
wards he went to take leave of all the Gentlemen
who were there> one after another, and they were
much pleased with his good countenance.

His mother, poor Lady! was in a tower of
the castle, weeping tenderly ; for, although she
was delighted that her son was in the wity of
doing well, maternal love prompted her to shed
tears. However, wh^fi they came to tell her, that
if she wished to see her son, he was on horseback
ready to depart, the good Gendewo^ian Went out
by the back part of the tower^ and making her
son draw nigh unto her^ addressed him in these
-words: " Peter, my friend, you are going into the
service of a noble Priqce ; as much as a mother
can command her child, do J command you three
things, which, if you do, rest assured they will
enable you to pass through this present life with
honour. The first is, that above all things you
love and serve God, without offending Him in
any way, if it be possible to you. For it is He who
gave us life, it is He who will save us, and without
Him and His grace we should not have power
to perform a single good work in this world.
Recommend yourself to Him every morning and
evening, and He will give you aid. The second

THE CHEVALIER BAYARP. 11

k, that yonbe mild and courteous^ to all Gentlemen^
casting away pride. Be humble and obliging to
everybody. Be not a slanderer or a liar. Keep
yourself temperate in regard to eatiflig and drink-
ing. Avoid envy — it is a mean vioe. Be neither
a flatterer nor a tale-^bearer, for people of tlus
description do not usually attain to any high
degree of excellence. Be loyal in word and deed*
Keep your promises. Succour poor widows and
orphans, and God will reward you. The tfaiTd
is, that you be bountiful of the goods that Ood
shall give you to the poor and needy; for to give
for His honour's sake never made any man poor ;
and believe me, my chilcly the alms that you shall
dispense will greatly profit both your body and soul.
This is all that I have to charge you with. I be-
lieve that your fallier and I shall not live much
longer: but God grant that whilst we do continue
in life we may always receive a good account of
you." Then the good Knight, though of such
tender years, replied to her thus : " My Lady
mother, I thank you with all humility possible for
your good instructions, and with His favour into
whose keeping you recommend me, I hope so
well to follow them, that you shall be fully satisfied.
And now, after having very humbly recommended

12 MEMOIRvS OF

niyself to your good graces, I will take my leave
of you*"

Then the good Lady took out of her sleeve a
little purse, containing only six crowns in gold, and
one in small money, and gave it to her son. She
also called one of the servants of her brother, th6
Bishop of Grenoble, and delivered to him a little
scrip, in which was some linen for her son's use;
with a request that, when he should be pre-
sented to my Lord of Savoy, he would pray
the servant of the equerry, in whose charge he
should be, to be pleased to look after him a little,
until he grew older ; and she entrusted him with
two crowns for the same* Hereupon the Bishop
of Grenoble took leave of all the company, and
called his nephew, who thought himself in para-
dise while he was on the back of his good steed.
So they took the direct road to Chamberry, where
Duke Charles of Savoy was at that time residing:.

THE CDEVAUER BAYARD. 13

CHAPTER HI.

Haw the Bishop of Grenoble presented his nephew the good
Knight without fear and without reproach, to Charles,
Duke of Savoy, who received himjoyfuUy,

After leaving the castle of Bayard, which was
on a Saturday, after breakfast, the Bishop of Gre-
noble pushed on till he arrived in the eveiiing at
Chamberry, where the clergy came to meet him ;
for that town hath belonged, from all antiquity, to
the bishopric of Grenoble, which hath there its
judge, and its court. He lodged with a consi-
derable citizen. The Duke took up his abode in
his own house, with a good number of Lords and
Gentlemen, some of Savoy, some of Piedmont.
That evening the Bishop of Grenoble remained in
his lodging, without showing himself to the court;
but the Duke was informed of his being in the
town, which gave him great pleasure ; forasmuch
as this same Bishop was, if any may be so called
in this world, one of the most holy and devout
personages that was known. Next day, which was

14 MEMOmS OP

Sunday, he rose very early, and went to wait upon
the Duke of Savoy, who received him with a
smiling countenance, giving him to understand that
his coming was very agreeable to him. They dis-
coursed together all along the road from his resi-
dence to the church, where the Duke was going to
hear mass, at which the Bishop officiated for him,
as is fitting for such Princes, and offered him the
gospel and the pax to kiss. When mass was
ended, the Duke took him home with him to
dinner, during which, the good Knight, his nephew,
served him to drink in an orderly manner, and
behaved himself very prettily. The Duke took
notice of this by reason of the boy's youth, and
accordingly asked the Bishops. " My Lord of
Grenoble, who is this young child that gives yoii
to drink V '' My Lord," replied the other, " he
is a man of arms whom I am come to present yon
with, to enter your service, if you pkase : but he
is not in the condition in which I am desirous of
giving him to you: after dinner^ if it be your
pleasure, you shall see him." ** Truly," said the
Duke, who had already taken a liking to him, " he
must be a strange man who would refuse such a
present." Now the good Knight, already aware of
his uncle's intention, did not entertain himself long

THE CHEYAHE* BAYARD. Ifi

with eating, but sent to the lodgitig to get his horse
saddled, and> mounting it, after having put it in
p]X>per orde^r, came ambling abng to the court of
the house of the Duke of Savoy, who had akeadjit
come out of the hall, and leaned over a gallery.
Seeing the young child enter, and make his horse
curvet like a man of thirty, who had seen war all
his life, he addressed the Bishop of Grenoble, and
said : " I suppose this is your little favourite, who
rides his horse so well." He replied : " My Lord,
he is my nephew, and come of a good race, from
which noble Knights have sprung. His father,
who is so wasted with years and infirmities, as also
with wounds received in wars and battles, that he
is not able to wait upon you, commends himself
very humbly to your good graces, and makes you
a present of him." " In good faith," repUed the
Duke, " I accept him willingly; the present is a
good and a handsome one, and God make him a
brave man !" Then he commanded one of his
equerries, in whom he placed most confidence,
to take charge of the young Bayard, declaring,
that he believed he would one day make a worthy
man. Not long after this the Bishop of Grenoble,
humbly thanking the Duke of Savoy, took his
leave of him, in order to return to his own house.

16 MEMOIRS OF

and the Duke abode at Chamberry for some time,^
till he took a resolution to go and see King
Charles VIII. of France, who was in his city of
Lyons^ diverting himself with jousts, tournaments,
and other pastimes.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 17

CHAPTER IV.

How the Duke of Savoy left Chamberry to go and see the
King of France, Charles VIII., in his town of Lyons,
and took with him the good Knight without fear and
without reproach, then his page*

The good Knight remained page with Duke
Charles for the space of half a year, during which
time, he gained the love of people of all degrees,
as much as any child ever did. He was service-
able to the Lords and Ladies, even to a marvel. In
all things there was no young page or Lord that
could be compared with him. He leaped, wrestled,
threw the bar, according to his size, and, among
other things, rode a horse as well as it was possi-
ble : so that his good master conceived as great
an affection for him as if he had been his own son.

One day as the Duke was thus at Chamberry,
in the midst of feasts and rejoicings, he deter-
mined to go and see the King of France at Lyons,
where he happened to be at that time among his
Princes and Gentlemen, leading a jolly life, holding

VOL. I. C

18 ^ . MEMOIRS OF

tilts and tourneys every day, and dancing in the
evening with the Ladies of the place, who are very
fair and graceful. And, to say the truth, this
young King Charles was one of the best Princes,
one of the most courteous, tiberal, and charitable,
that ever hath been seen or read of. He loved
and feared God, and never swore, except hy the
faith of my hody^ or some such little oath. And
it was a great pity that death should have taken
him away so soon as at the age of eight-and-
twenty years : for had he lived longer he would
have achieved great things. The said King
Charles knew how that the Duke of Savoy was
coming to see him, and that he was already at La
Verpilliere, and purposed sleeping at Lyons. So
he sent to meet him a noble Prince of the House
of Luxemburg, called the Lord of Ligny, with
many other Gentlemen and archers of his guard,
who found him two leagues, or thereabouts, from
Lyons. The Duke and the Lord of Ligny wel-
comed one another cordially, for they were both
very honourable personages. They had gone
a long way discoursing together, when the Lord
of Ligny cast his eye on the young Bayard
upon his horse, which was trotting daindly, and
showed him off to wonderful advantage. " So," said

THE CHEVAUER BAYARD. I9

the Lord of Ligny to the Du^e of Savoy: " mf
Lord, you have there a page who rides a mettled
horse, and moreover he knows how to manage him
deftly." « On my faith/' said the Duke, " it is
but half a year ago that the Bishop of Grenoble
blade me a present of him, when he had just
left school ; but I never slaw a young lad of iiis
age who carried himself more manfully, either on
foot or on horseback; and he hath a very good air
likewise. I can assure you, my Lord cousin, he is
come of a race which hath produced spirited and
bold Gentlemen, and I believe that he will take
after them." So he said to the good Knight:
" Put spurs to your horse, Bayard, make him
gallop:" which the young child, who desired
nothing better, did immediately, and at the end of
the course he caused his steed, which was very
spirited, to make three or four marveUous leaps,
to the delight of all the company. " On my
faith, my Lord," said the Lord of Ligny, ^' this is
a young Gentleman who, in my opinion, will be-
come a noble gallant if he lives; and I think you
will do well to make a present of the page and of
tUe horse to the King. He woidd be well pleased,
because the horse is a very handsome and a good
one, and, the page, to my thinking, still better.

20 MEMOIRS OF

" On my soul/' said the Duke, " since you advise
it, I will do it."

The young child, in order to arrive at prefer-
ment, could not have had a better school than the
House of France, where honour hath made its
abode at all times, and longer than in any other
Prince's house. Thus they pursued their way iri
conversation till they entered Lyons, whete the
streets were full of people, and many Ladies were
at the windows to see them pass ; for, sooth to
say, this Duke of Savoy was a very good and hand*
some Prince, and his mien clearly showed him to b^
of a great House. He dismounted that even-
ing, which was on a Wednesday, at his own house,
where he kept the Lord of Ligny, and another
called my Lord of Avennes, (son of the Sire d'Al*
bret^ a brother of the then King of Navarre,) ia
very honourable and accomplished Lord, to suppeic
with him, and many other Nobles and Gentlemen;
during which a number of the King's minstrels and
singers came to delight the company. That even-
ing the Duke of Savoy did not leave his own
house, but they played at several sports and pas*
times, till wine and spices were brought in, which
being partaken of, each retired to his own lodg-
ing till the morrow morning.

THE CHEVALIfitt BAYARD. - 21

CHAPTER V.

How the Duke of Savoy went to pay his respects to the King
of France at his house, and of the good and honourable
reception which was made him.

On Friday morning the Duke of Savoy got up,
and after having put himself in order, wished to go
and visit the king ; hut ere his departure there
arrived at his house the above-mentioned Lords
of Ligny and of Avenues, with the Marshal de
Gie, who at that time enjoyed great credit in
France ; them he saluted, wishing them a good day.
They then set out for the abode of the King, who
was already going to mass in a convent of Corde-
liers, constructed at the request of a devout monk,
named brother Jean Bourgeois, at the end of one
of the suburbs of Lyons called Veize : and upon
it this young King had bestowed much property,
as had also done his good and loyal spouse Anne,
Duchess of Brittany. So the Duke of Savoy
found the King preparing to leave his chamber,
to whom he made such and so profound a reve-
rence as was meet to so great and noble a Prince.

23 MEMOpiS OF

But the good King, who was the very son of
humility, embraced him, saying ; " My cousin and
friend, you are heartily welcome; I am right
glad to see you, and on my soul you have done
well ; for if you had not come, I had intended
to have visited you in your own country, where I
might have caused you a great deal more damage.''
To which the good Duke replied : ". My Lord, it
would be difficult for you to cause me any damage,
or what I should account so. The only regret
that I should feel at your arrival in my country and
yours would be that you would not be received as
is suitable to so lofty and magnanimous a prince as
yourself. But be well assured of this, that my
heart, body, substance, and abilities, if God have
gifted me with any, are as much at your disposal
as those of the least of your subjects." Whereat
the King, blushing a little, returned him thanks.
So they mounted their mules, and went discoursing
together all along the town to the convent of
Cordeliers, where they heard mass devoutly. And
when it came to the offering, the Duke of Savoy
delivered to the King, as the Prince most to be
honoured, the crown to offer to our Lord ; a cus-
tom observed daily by the Kmgs of France. As
soon as mass was over, they remounted their mules

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 23

to return home, and the King made the Duke of
Savoy stay and dine with him, and likewise the Lord s
of Ligny and of Avenues. During dinner much
discourse was held, concerning dogs, birds, love,
and arms ; and among other things the Lord of
Ligny said to the King : ^^ Sire, I swear to you on
my fay, that my Lord of Savoy hath a mind to give
you a page who rides a spirited little steed as well
as ever I saw a youth in my life ; I believe he is not
more than fourteen years old, but he manages his
horse like a man of thirty. If you will be pleased
to go and hear vespers at Esnay, you shall have
some diversion with him.'* " By the faith of my
body,'' said the King, " I am willing." Then he
looked at the Duke of Savoy, and said to him :
" Cousin, who gave you this proper page whom
our cousin of Ligny speaks of?" To which the
Duke answered : '* My Lord, he is a subject of
yours, and of a House of your country of Dauphiny,
which hath sent forth gallant Gentlemen: his
uncle, the Bishop of Grenoble, made me a present
of him half a year ago ; my Lord cousin hath seen
him, and is much pleased with him ; you shall view
the page and the horse at your pleasure in the
meadow of Esnay."
The good Knight was not then present, but the

^4 MEMOIRS OF

matter was soon related to him^ and how the Kuig
wished to see him on his horse/ and I think if he
had gained the city of Lyons he would scarce have
been so much delighted. He went immediately
to the Duke of Savoy's head groom of the stable^
called Pisou de Chenas^ and said to him : ^^ Friend
groom^ I understand that the King wants to see
my horse after dinner, aiid myself thereon. Now,
therefore, I pray you be kind enough to put him
in order, and I will give you my short dagger with
all my heart." The head groom, seeing the lad's
good nature, said to him : ^' Bayard, my friend,
keep your truncheon, I will none of it, but I thank
you : only go comb and clean yourself, for your
horise shall be put in order, and God give you this
fortune, my friend, that the King of France may
take you into favour ; for thereby you may arrive
at high preferment, and some time or other, by
God's aid, you may become so great a Lord that I
may find my account in it." '' On my faith, mas-
ter," said the good Knight, " I shall never forget the
courtesy you have practised towards me since I
have been of the household of my Lord, and, if
God ever do bring me to preferment, you shall be
made sensible of this." Immediately he went up
into the chamber of his equerry, where he cleaned

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 25

his clothes, combed and equipped himself as hand-
somely as he could, in expectation of receiving
some tidings; which he waited not long for. In
two or three hours the equerry of my Lord of
Savoy, who was Bayard's governor, came to look
after him, and found him all in readiness. So he
said, quite sorrowful : " Bayard, my friend, I see
very well that I shall not keep you long, for I un-
derstand that my Lord hath just now made a
present of you to the King, who wishes to see you
on your horse in the meadow of Esnay. . I am
not grieved at your advancement ; but, on my faith,
I feel great regret at parting with you." To this
the young Bayard made answer : " My Lord
equerry, God give me grace to continue in that
virtuous course which you have pointed out to me
since the hour that my Lord gave you charge of
me. If it be in my power, by means of his grace,
I will never bring reproach upon you by any deed
of mine, and if I arrive at a situation wherein I can
do you service, you shall know by proof how much
I feel inyself obliged to you."

After these words there w^s no more time to
delay, for the hour approached. So the equerry
mounted a horse, and made the good Knight
mount his, which had been so well combed and

26 MEMOIRS OF

accoutred that it was deficient in no respect : and
they went to attend the King and his company in
the meadow of Esnay, whither the King had gone
by water on the Saone. As soon as ever he got
out of the boat, he went to see the young Bayard
upon the field on his horse, in company with his
equerry. So he cried out to him : " Page, my
friend, spur your horse :" which he did immedi-
ately, and to see how he acquitted himself, . you
would have thought he had been used to the mat-
ter aU his life. At the end of the course he made
him take three or four leaps, and then without
saying a word returned at full gallop towards the
King and stopped him quite short before him,
causing his horse to curvet ; insomuch liiat not
only the King but all the company received singu^
lar pleasure thereby. Then the King began saying
to my Lord of Savoy: " Cousin, it is impossible to
ride a horse better;" and turning to the page, he
said: ^' Spur him, spur him again." At these
words the pages cried to him, " Spur, spur,*'
picqueZf picquess : so that for some time after he
was sumamed Piequet. " Truly," said the King
again to the Duke, ^^ I se^ before my eyes what
my cousin of Ligny told me at dinner ; I will not
wait for you to give me y^ur page, and your horse.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 27

but I crave them of you." " My Lord,'* replied
the Duke of Savoy, " the master is yours; well may
the rest be so : God give the boy grace to do you
some agreeable service." " By the faith of my
body/' said the King, " it is impossible that he
should not become a man of worth. Cousin of
Ligny, I put the page under your care: but I have
no mind that he should lose his horse, he shsll
remain always in your stable.'* Whereupon the
Lord of Ligny humbly thanked the King, feeling
well satisfied to have this present ; for he surely
thought that when he grew to be a man he would
one day do him great honour; as afterwards
catne to pass in many places. The good Knight
was page three years only in the house of the
Lord of Ligny, who put him out of that situation
at the age of seventeen, and assigned him a place
in his own company, though be ever retained
him among the Gentlemen of his household.

28 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER VI.

How a Gentleman of Burgundy^ called Messire Claude dc
Vauldri^ came to Lyons, by the desire of the King of
France, to do deeds of arms, as well on horseback as on
foot, and hung up his shields, in order that they who
touched them might be by him encountered in combat :
and how the good Knight, three days after he was dismissed
from being page, touched all the shields.

Some time the Duke of Savoy remained at
, Lyons, where he was well entertained with the
King, and with the Princes and Nobles of
France. So he bethought him that it was time to
return into his own country, and accordingly
asked leave to depart, which was granted very
unwillingly: but there is no company so good
but it must be parted with. The King made him
handsome and honourable presents, ^ for he
abounded in Uberality : and thus the good Duke
Charles of Savoy returned into his own country^
The King of France went about visiting his do-
minions, and two or three years after came again
to Lyons, where there arrived a Burgundian Gen-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. S9

tieman, named Messire Claude de Vauldre, one
possessing great skill in arms^ and that marvel-
lously affected them. He caused entreaty to b^
used to the King that, in order to preserve all the
young Gentlemen from sloth and idleness^ he
would permit him to hold a tourney on foot and
on horseback, with career of lance, and stroke of
battleaxe ; which was granted him : for, after the
service of God, of which he was very o^reful, the
good King liked nothing better than merry pas-
times. So this Messire Claude de Vauldre managed
hb affair to the best of his ability, and caused
his shields to be hung up, which all Gentlemen
who had a mind to prove their hardihood came
aiid touched, having their names written down by
the king at arms, who had charge of them. One
day the good Knight, who was now called by every
one Picquet, the name that the King had given
him at Eshay, passed before the shields, and he
thought within himself: " Alas ! good Lord! if I
knew how to put myself in fitting array, I would
right gladly touch those shields, in order to gain
a knowledge of arms ;" and upon that he stopped,
and remained quite still and thoughtful. With
him was a companion of his, bred up by the Lord
of Ligny, named Bellabre, who said to him:

30 MEMOIRS OF

*^ What are you thinking of, comrade? — you seem
like one thunderstruck." " On my faith, friend,"
rej^ed he, " and so I am, and I will tell you the
reason directly. It hath pleased my Lord to put
me out of the place of page, and of his goodness
he hath equipped me, and raised me to the rank
of Gentleman ; now I have conceived an inordinate
desire to touch the shields of Messire Claude de
Vauldr6^ but after I had done it I know not who
would Airnish me with armour and horses." Then
answered Bellabre, who was older than he, and a
very bold Gentleman : (for, be it known to all the
readers of this history, that of the breeding of
this noble Lord of Ligny, came fifty Gentlemen,
thirty of whom were valiant and virtuous Captains
in their day :) ^^ My friend and companion, are
you disquieted about that? Have you not your
uncle the fat abbot of Esnay ? I vow to God that
we will go to him, and if he won't furnish us with
money, we'll lay hands on crosier and mitre ; but
I think that, when he is informed of your strong
desire, he wiU produce it willingly :" at these words
Bayard goes to touch the shields. Monjoye,
king at arms, who was there to write down the
names, said to him: " How, my firiend Picquet?
Your beard is not of three years growth, and do

THE CHEVAXIER BAYARD. 81

you undertake to fight with Messire Claude
de Yauldre, who is one of the fiercest Kmghts
that you may hear of?" The other replied
to him : " My firiend Monjoye, what I do pro-
ceeds not from pride and arrogance^ but soldy
from a desire to learn arms^ by little and little^ of
those who can teach me them ; and God^ if He
please^ may give me grace to do something which
shall please the Ladies :" at which Monjoye began
to laugh, and was highly delighted. So the noise
ran throughout all Lyons thatPicquet had touched
the shields of Messire Claude de Vauldr^, till it
came to the ears of the Lord of Ligny, who had
rather than ten thousand crowns it should be so.
Accordingly he went to tell the King of it forth-
with, who was greatly rejoiced, and said : " By
the faith of my body, cousin of Ligny, jbux breed-
ing will bring you honour one day, as my heart
tells me." " We shall see what will come of it,"
replied the Lord of Ligny, " he is rery young
yet to stand the blows of Messire Claude de Vaul-
dre."

Now the hardest part of the matter for the
good Knight was not to touch the shields, but to
find money to get horses and accoutrements. He
went to his companion Bellabrie, and said to him:

32 MEMOIRS OF

" My companion and my friend, I pray you be my
intercessor with my Lord of Esnay, my uncle, that
be will give me money : I am very sure that if my
uncle, the Bishop of Grenoble, were here, he would
let me want for nothing ; but he is at his abbey
of St, Sumin in Thoulouse ; it is very far off;
and a man could not. get thither and back in time/'
" Be of good cheer," said Bellabre, " you and I
will go speak to him to-morrow morning, and
I hope, that we shall manage our affair happily .'^
This comforted the good Knight somewhat;
howbeit he slept not much that night. Bellabre
and he lay together ; they rose betimes, got into
one of the little boats of Lyons, and made themr
selves be carried to Esnay^ The first person they
found within the meadow, after they had left the
boat, was the Abbot, who was at his devotions witfai
one of his monks. The two Gentlemen went to
salute him ; but having already heard how that
his nephew had touched the shields of Messire
Claude de Vauldr6, and suspecting that he should
be called on to pay the expenses, he gave them
no very good reception, and said to Bayard:
" Ha ! who made you so bold as to touch the
shields of Messire Claude de Vauldre ? You were
a page only three days ago, and are not seventeen

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 3S

or eighteen years old ; you ought to feel the rod
again, you grow so presumptuous." To which the
good Knight replied : '* My Lord, I protest, to you,
upon my honour, that not presumption, but a de-
sire to arrive by valiant deeds at the honour that
your predecessors and mine have attained unto
hath inspired me with this boldness. I therefore
beseech you, my Lord, as I best may, seeing that I
have no relation or inend to whom I can at pre-
sent have recourse ex^cept you, that it be your
good pleasure to assist me with some money to
provide myself with what is needful for me." " On
my faith," replied the Abbot, " you may go seek
elsewhere for one to lend you money ; the wealth
bestowed on this abbey by the founders was
intended for the service of God, and not to be
spent on jousts and tourneys." Which speech of
the Abbot the Lord of Bellabre took up, and
said : " My Lord, had it not been for the prowess
of your predecessors, you would not be Abbot of
Esnay: for by their means and no other have
you obtained this dignity. We ought to have a
sense of the benefits which we have received in
time past, and a hope to gain some remuneration
for those which we confer. Your nephew, my
companion, is of a good descent, and beloved by

VOL. I. D

84 MEMOIRa OF

the King, and by my Lord our master ; he hadi
a desire to arrive at preferment, wherewith you
ought to be well pleased. It is fitting therefore
that you give him assistance, for it cannot cost you
two hundred crowns to equip him properly, and
he may do you honour equal to ten thousand."
Rejoinder ensued on the part of the Abbot, who
made much debate upon the matter; but in the
end vouchsafed to aid the good Knight«

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 35

CHAPTER VII.

Haw the Abbot of Esnay gave the good Knight an hun-
dred crowns to buy two horses, and writ a letter to a
merchant at Lyons to furnish hian wth what should be
necessary.

Much discourse passed between the Abbot and
the two Gentlemen, but at length he led them to
his house, and opening a little window, took an
hundred crowns out of a purse which was; therein,
and gave them to Bellabre, saying to him : " My
Gentleman, here are an hundred crowns which I
deliver into your charge, to buy two horses for
this valiant man of arms, seeing that he is too young
as yet to handle money: I shall write a line to
Laurencin to furnish him with the habiliments he
stands in need of." " You do well, my Lord,'*
said Bellabre, " and I can assure you that who-?
ever shall know of it, you will gain nothing but
honour thereby." So he called for paper and
ink immediately to write to Laurencin, whom he
ordered to provide his nephew with what should
be necessary to accoutre him at this tourney,

36 MEMOIRS OF

imagining within himself that he could not want
above an hundred franks' worth of goods ; but
he was quite mistaken, as you shall presently hear.
As soon as the Gentlemen had received their
letter, after taking leave of the Abbot, whom the
good Knight thanked very humbly for his courtesy
towards him, they went back to their httle boat
to return to Lyons, much delighted at the success
of their negotiation. Bellabre broke silence and
said : '^ You know, companion, that when God
sends men good fortune, they ought to manage it
well and wisely. What one robs monks of is holy
bread. We have a letter to Laurencin to take,
what we have need of; let us go to his house
quickly ere the Abbot consider what he hath
done; for in his letter he hath not limited the
sum that he gives you for accoutrements. By
the faith of my body, you shall be rigged out for
the tourney, and for a year to come; for you
will never get anything more from him." The
good Knight, who desired nothing better, began
to laugh, and said to him : *^ By my faith, com?
panion, this is a very good method of managing
the affair; but I pray you let us hasten, for I.
am terribly afraid that if he perceive his over-
sight, he will straightway send one of his people

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. Ot

to say how much money he means to give me for
clothels." The surmise was very just, as you will
hear. So they made with all speed across the
ferry, which brought them up hard by the Ex-
change, where they landed, and went directly to
the house of Laurencin, whom they found in his
shop, and saluted, and he, a very good and honest
merchant, returned the like to them. Bellabre
began to speak and said : ^^ On my soul, Master
Laurencin, .my companion and I are come from
visiting a worthy Abbot, my Lord of Esnay." ^' I
promise you he is mine too," said Laurencin;
** he is a right worthy personage, and I hold myself
of the number of his good servants. In my life
I have had reckonings with him to the amount of
twenty thousand franks, and never met with an
honester man." " But do you know the good deed
he hath done his nephew, my comrade here?"
quoth Bellabre. " Hearing that he had touched
the shields of Messire Claude de Vauldre, and
knowing that we slept together, he sent for us
both this morning, and, on our arrival, after giving
us an excellent breakfast, presented his nephew
with three hundred good crowns to buy horses ;
and moreover, that he may fit himself put so as no
man in the company shall be better attired than

■ I

38 MEMOIRS OF

he^ he hath ^ven us a letter to you, to furnish
him with what is necessary.'* So he shewed the
letter to Laurencin^ who immediately knew the
signature of my Lord the Abbot. " I assure you,
Grentlemen," said the merchant, " there is nothing
within here that is not at your command, and at
that of my Lord who writes to me: only look for
what you want." So they quickly made him shew
them gold and silver stuffs, embroidered satins,
velvets, and other silks, of which they took for the
good Knight to the value of seven or eight hun-
dred franks, then bade him good day, went to their
lodging, and immediately sent for tailors to do
their business.

Now let us return for a while to the Abbot, who
was very glad to find himself rid of his nephew.
He ordered his people to bring dinner, at which
he had company ; and, amid other discourse, he
said, in an elevated tone of voice : " I have had
a costly present to make this morning : that boy
Bayard, my nephew, hath been mad enough to
touch the shields of Messire Claude de Vauldre,
and hath come this forenoon to beg money for
his equipments ; which hath lain me in an hun«
dred crowns. Nay this is not all; for I have
written to Laurencin to give him what he shall

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. S9

ask to accoutre him for the tilt." To that answeral
the Sexton of the Abbey : *' On my feith^ mjr
Lord, you have done well ; hewishes to imitate the
prowess of my Lord your grand&ther, who was so
stout of heart as were all his kin. I see but one
evil in this; he is young and wilful; you have
written to Laurendn to give him what he shall
asky and, I am certain he will do it if it come to two
thousand crowns ; I fear your nephew will take
more than you intend." The Abbot began im-
mediately to consider of this, and replied : " By
St. James, Sexton, you say true, for I have not
specified how much*" Then he cried: " Call
the steward :" who coming immediately, the Abbot
said to him : " Hie you away, Nicholas ; another
shall serve instead of you ; go to the town to
Laurencin, and say that I wrote him word this
morning to furnish my nephew with some wearing
apparel for the tourney of Messire Claude do
Vauldr^, and that he is to give him to the amount
of an hundred or an hundred and twenty crowns
and no more ; tarry not, but merely go and come
back again." The steward set off instantly, but
fiur too late. When he arrived at Laurencin's^
he was at table ; but being very intimate with him,
he went up, and saluted the company, who did

40 MEMOIRS OF

the like to him. " Master steward,^ quoth Lau-
rencin, " you are Xi^elcome ; wash your hands,
arid partake with us." * " I thank you," he repUed,
" that is not my errand : my Lord sends me
hither because to-day he wrote you word to furnish
his nephew Bayard with some accoutrements.'* .
Laurencin did hot wait till he had finished, but
said : " Master steward, I have attended to all
that: I assure you I have rigged him out hand-
somely ; ♦he is a very well-behaved young Gentle-
man ; and my Lord doth well to assist him." " And
to what amount have you given him ?" said the
stewatd. " Faith I can't tell," said the other,
" till I see my paper, and my receipt on the
back of my Lord's letter ; but I believe it came
to about eight hundred franks." " Ha ! by 'r
I^ady, you have spoilt all !" cried Nicholas. " How
so ?" quoth Laurencin. " Why thus," repUed the
steward : " my Lord was sending you word by me
not to give him above the value of an hundred
or an hundred and twenty franks." " His letter
said not that," said Laurencin ; " if he had
asked more, he would have had it, for such were
my Lord's instructions." " There is no help for
it now," said the Steward : " fare you well." So
he returned to Esnay, and found the company

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 41

where he had left them. When the Abbot saw
'his steward^ he said: ^^ Well^ Nicholas^ did you
deliver my message to Laurencin ?" " That did
I, my Lord," returned he, " but I set out too late ;
your nephew had already made his purchases,
and had only taken to the amount of eight hun-
dred franks." " Eight hundred franks, St. Mary !"
cried the Abbot : '^ make haste ; you know his
lodging ;^-'go tell him that if he doesn't quickly
carryback to Laurencin's what he hath^akeh, he
shall never again be the better for a denier of

mine."

The steward obeyed his Lordship's command,
and went to Lyons, thinking to find his man, who
having had an inkling beforehand of this contm-
gency, had said to his servants: "If any of my
Lord of Esnay's people come to inquire for me,
make excuses, in order that I may not be obliged
to speak with them." The like injunction laid
he on all them of the lodging. When the
steward came and asked for him, they made
answer that he was at my Lord of Ligny's.
Thither he goes, and, finding him not, returns to
the lodging. Then they told him he was gone
to try horses beyond the Rhosne. In short he
went more than ten times to his house, but could

4S MEMOIRS OF

never find him-j he therefore returned, for he
perceived plainly that they were making game of
him. When he got back to Esnay, he told my
Lord, ^^ It was lost labour to seek his nephew:
for that h^ had been above ten times to his lodg-
ing, but saw it was not possible to find him, as
be made himself be concealed." " On my oath
then," said the Abbot, " he is a bad boy ; but he
shall repent it." His wrath dispersed at leisure,
but he never got any thing else by the concern.
Let us now leave off speaking of him, and return
to the good Knight and liis companion, and the
exploits diey performed in their affairs.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 43

CHAPTER VIII.

Horo) the good Knight without fear and xaithmt reproach
and his companion mounted their horses, and donned their
Accoutrements ; and how the said Knight carried him-
self gallantly, according to his might, against Messire
Claude de Vauldri.

The reader must understand that as soon as the
g6dd Knight and his companion got what diey
called for at Laurencin's, they made no long stay
at his house, foreseeing what happened after-
wards ; but so diligent were they in their business
that they were provided with all they wanted*
They retired to their lodging, and sent. immedi-
ately for tailors, to make tb^n each three, smts for
the tourney ; as the good Knight wished his com-
panion to be of the same livery as himself: so
Aey had every thing alike. After they had given
dkections about their clothes, Bellabre said:
** Companion, we must go see about horses. I
know a Gentleman of Piedmont lodging in La
Grenete, who hath a small horse, well raised, and
very agile, that will suit you exactly: I believe

44 MEMOIRS OF

too he is possessed of a little lively bay courser.
I have been told that he wishes to sell them, be-
cause he broke his leg in riding them eight days
ago ; let us find out if this be the case." " That
is well thought of^'^'said the good Knight.

Accordingly they crossed the water to Our
Lady of Consolation, then drew near to the house
of this Piedmontese gentleman, whom they found
m his chamber very ill at ease m his leg. They
saluted him, and he did the same to them, like a
courteous Knight. Bellabre spoke first, and said :
'^ sir, my companion wants to purchase a couple
of horses of yours, as we have heard that you
design to part with them, on account of the mis-
hap you have met with, for which we are hfeartily
sorry." " Gientlemen," repUed the Piedmon-
tese, " it is true, and it troubles me much, for the
horses are good and handsome. But it is God's
will, — I see plainly that I shall not be able to quit
this town within three months, — provisions are ex-
pensive here,— my horses would cost me in victuals
more than they are worth, — you appear honest
and brave Gentlemen, — I had rather my horses
fell into your hands than elsewhere : get across
their backs, and go try them out of the town,
with one of my people ; — on your return, if you

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 45

please^ we will come to terms about them." They
lik^d the proposal ; and the horses being forth-
with saddled, the good Knight and his com-
panion mounted and led them to the meadows
hard by La Ouillotiere, where they made them
gallop and trot till they were satisfied. They
then returned to the house of the Gentleman to
make the bargain, and asked what price he would
sell them for. *' On my honour/' said Ije, "if I
were whole, there is no man upon earth who
should have them for two hundred crowns, unless
I wished to make him a present of them ; but for
love of you I am content to let you have the war-
horse for sixty crowns, and the courser for fifty,
in all, one hundred and ten crowns : I will take no
less.''

. They thought him very reasonable and said
hot another word, but, " Sir, you shall have them,
and two Gentlemen at your service all their lives :"
for which he thanked them. They took out their
purses, and gave him his hundred and ten crowns,
and two for wine for the servants. The horses
were led to their lodging by their own people^
and they had them well curried and accoutred ;
for it wanted only three days of the time when
Messire Claude de Vauldre's enterprise was to

46 MEMOIRS OF

begin; wherefore every one apparelled himself
^u^ording to his meanjs* So Messire Claude
opened his tourney in the order that, with the
King's leave, he had caused to be published, and
on a Monday entered the lists^ where he was en-
countered by divers worthy and gallant Gentlemen
of the household of good King Charles, such as
the Seneschal Galiot, a very valiant and expert
warrior; the young Bonneval, Sandricourt, Chas*-
tiUon, and Bourdillon, who weire the King's most
familiar intimates, with many others. Every
one did his best, as may be supposed. It had
been appointed that each combatant, after having
performed his part, should be led along the lists
in open sight for the sake of letting the spectators
know who had done well or ill ; for which reason
you may imagine there was no one that did not
use his utmost endeavours to acquit himself
honourably.

The good Knight, at this time little more than
seventeen years old, a very tender age, (for he
had not done growing, and was naturally spare
and pale,) entered the lists, and there made his
first essay, which commenced rudely enough:
for he had to do with one of the most skilful and
experienced Knights in the world. Nevertheless,

THE CHSVALISR BAYARD. 47

bow it happened I canndt teH, whether God
willed to give him the glory/ or Messire Ckude
de Vauldre chose to amuse himself with him^ there
was no man, in the whole combatj on horseback
or on foot, that played his part better than hoj or
indeed so well. Insomuch that the ladies of
Lyons awarded the honour of the day to him :
for, as hath been already observed, each was
obliged, after his fight was over, to walk along
the lists in view of everybody; wherefore, when it
came to the good Knight's turn, the Ladies in
their Lyonese tongue gave him the chief honour,
saying : " Vey vo cestou malotru / il a mieulxfay
que tous los autres .*" ** Look at this poor lad !
he hath done better than all the others." And
of the rest of the company he acquired such fisi-
vour, that good King Charles said at supper, to
exalt him more : '' By the faith of my body,
Picquet hath made a beginning, from which, in my
belief, he will go on to a good end." Then he
said to the Lord of Ligny : " Cousin, I never
made you a better present in my life than when
I gave you him." To which that Lord replied :
" Sire, if he be a man of merit you will derive
greater honour from him than I ; for it is the
commendation you have bestowed on him that hath

48 MEMOIRS OF

made him undertake all this. God grant that he
may continue his present course ! But his uncle,
the Abbot of Esnay^ ^akes ho great pleasure in
it^ for he hath had money of him and accoutrements
on his credit :*' of which the King had already
been informed. So he began to laugh, and all
the company with him.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 4©

CHAPTER IX.

How the Lord of Ligny sent the good Knight to the Gar-
rison in Picardy, where his company was ; how he lodged
in a pretty little town called Ayre, and how at his arrival
his companions came to meet him.

After the tourney was ended^ the Lord of
Ligny one morning called the good Knight with-
out fear and without reproach^ and said to him :
^ Picquet, my friend^ you haVe a rare beginning
to your fortunes: the war is to be continued, and
though I retain you in my household at three
hundred franks a year, and three horses, yet have
I put you into my company. Go therefore to
the garrison to see your comrades; you will there
find as gallant soldiers as are in Christendom^
and who often practise arms, holding jousts and
tourneys for the love of the Ladies, and for the
acquiring of honour. On which account it seems
to me that you cannot be better than with them,
till there be some rumour of war." The good
Knight, who wished nothing better, replied: '^ My
Lord, for all the honours and benefits which you

VOL. I. E

50 MEMOIRS OF

have done and are doing me every day^ you can
only at present receive from me very humble*
thanks^ and a prayer to our Lord that he will be
pleased to reward you. But it is my greatest
desire at present to go see the company you speak
of; for I cannot witness the good things I have
heard reported of them ever so short a while,
without being the better for it all my life, and if
it be your pleasure I will depart to-morrow." The
Lord of Ligny said ; " I am willing; but first you
shall take leave of the King ; I will carry you to him
after dinner."' Which he did, and they found that
Monarch just about to rise from table, when the
Lord of Ligny said to him : *^ Sire, here is your Pic-
quet ; he is going to see his comrades in Picardy,
and is come to take leave of you." Thereupon
the good Knight threw himself on his knees with
a bold countenance, which the King observed
with pleasure, and said< smiling: " My friend
Picquet, may God continue in you what I have
beheld in your outset, and you will be a brave
tABXi. You are going into a land where there are
handsome Ladies, exert yourself to gain their
favour, and adieu, my friend f " Many thanks,
Sire," said the good Knight. So he was imme-
diately embraced of all the Princes and Lorda

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 51

ill bidding fiirewell, and of many Gentlemen,
who felt much regret at his leaving the court.
He felt none himself however, but, on the con-
trary, thought it long till he reached the place
whither he was bound. The King sent for oi^
of the grooms of his chamber, who had some
money in his coffers, and ordered him to give the
good Knight three hundred crowns, and likewise
he caused one of the finest horses in his stabler
to be delivered to him. Bayard bestowed thirty
crowns on the groom, and ten on him that brought
him the courser, for which all that knew of it
extolled his liberality amazingly. The Lord of
Ligny brought him back to his lodgings, and talked
to him that evening as if he had been his own
child, advising him above all things to keep
honour constantly before his eyes; a command
that he hath ever kept to the day of his death.
At length, when it was time to retire ta bed, his
Lordship said to him : " My friend Picquet, I
suppose you will set off to-morrow before I am
up ; to God I commend you." So he embraced
him with tears in his eyes ; and the good Knight
took leave of him kneeling, and went home, es-
corted by all his companions, from whom he did
not part without many embraces. Going up into

52 MEMOIRS OF

his chamber he there found the Lord of Ligny's
tailor^ with two complete suits of clothes, which
his kind master had sent him. To him he said :
" My friend and brother, had I known of this
fine present, I would have thanked my Lord for
it, who hath conferred so many other favours on
me, which I have never deserved at his hands ;
be pleased to accept that from me :" and he took
out his purse, and giave him twenty crowns.

One of the servants of the good Knight said
to him : " Sir, William the groom but now brought
my Lord's good horse to your stable, and told nie
that his Lordship gives him to you. But he
returned because he was called for, and said
he would come and speak with you to-morrow."
" He will not find me," replied Bayard, " for I
intend to be on horseback by day-break." So
he turned to the tailor, and put into his hand ten
crowns, saying to him: " My friend, I pray you
give that to William the groom of the stable,
arid be good enough to salute all the fair and
noble company at the house of my Lord on my
part." The tailor promised to do so, and having
left the apartment, the good Kriight packed up
his trunks, and put his dress in order, to depart
early the next morning, then got into bed, where

THE CHBVALIER BAYARD. 53^

he rested but little> for it was near midnight when
he laid himself down. As soon as he rose^ the
first thing he did was to send off his great horses,
whereof he had six choice ones, with his baggage.
He set out himself afterwards with five or six
admirable curtals, when he had taken leave of
his host and hostess, and fully satisfied them for
the time he had spent in their house. His com-
panion Bellabre was ready as soon as he, and
accompanied him as far as Bresle; there they
dined, and there took leave of each other; but
they made no great ceremony of that; for within
three or four days after Bellabre reckoned upon
following his friend, and only waited for a couple
of great horses, which were coming to him out of
Spain.

The good Knight always went by short journeys,
because he had his horses led ; however at length
he arrived at three leagues distance from the town
of Ayre, whence he sent forward one of his peo-
ple to seek lodgings. When the Gentlemen of
the company learnt that Picquet was so near, they
all, or most part of them, mounted their steeds to
go and meet him: so great a desire had they to
see him, each being already possessed with an
opinion of his virtues. They were more than six-^

54 . MEMOIRS OF

and-twenty young Gentlemen, who found their
companion half a league from the town. It need
not be asked whether they gave each other a
hearty welcome, and they joyfully conducted him,
conversing together on many subjects, into the
town; there the Ladies were at the windows; for
having alreadyheardof the good Knight Picquet s
nobleness of heart, every one desired to become
acquainted with him. They saw him, but not so
much at their ease as they did afterwards. The
good Knight was led by his comrades to his
lodgings, where supper was ready prepared, he
having given order to this effect by his men whom
he had sent on. Part of his companions, who
led a merry life, remained, questioning him
about the state of his means, observing how for-
tunate he had been at his outset in doing so well
against Messire Claude de Vauldre, and ex-
tolling him marvellously. But the good Knight
appeared nowise transported with that, but replied
courteously to all their speeches : " Gentlemen,
my comrades, you do wrong to give me these
praises, for there is nothing yet in me that can
make me worth much ; but please the Lord, with
your good aid, I shall attain to be accounted of
the number of persons of merit." Then he left
the subject, and spoke of other matters.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 55

One of the company called Tardieu, a mirthful
pleasant man, began to speak, and, addressuig the
good Knight, said: " Friend comrade, I can assure
you that, in all Picardy, there are no handsomer
Ladies than those of this town, whereof your
hostess, whom you h^ve not yet seen, is one; she
is gone to the wedding of a niece of hers, but
will return to-morrow, so you may see her at your
convenience. It is impossible that you should
have come to keep garrison without money ; you
must mak^ yourself talked of on your arrival, and
by worthy actions acquire the favour of the Ladies
of the country. It is now a long time since there
was a prize given in this town; I do beseech you,
be pleased to give one here within eight days:
pray do not refuse me the first request that I
have ever made you." To which the good Knight
replied; " On my word. Master Tardieu, had
you asked a greater matter, assure yourself I
should not have refused you ; how then this which
is as pleasing to me as to you, and perhaps more
so? If you will send me the trumpet to-morrow
morning, and we can gain our Captain's leave, I
will give you satisfaction in this affair." Tardieu
rejoined : " Don't trouble yourself about gaining
leave: Captain Louys d'Ars hath granted it you

56 MEMOIRS OF

from this time forth^ as no harm is contemplated.
He is not here at present, but will be in four days.
If any evil come of it, I take the blame upon
myself," " Well then," replied the good Knight,
" to-morrow your desire shall be accomplished/'
The company remained in conversation until the
twelfth hour of the night, when they separated
till the next morning, at which time the above-
named Tardieu forgot not to repair to the lodging
of the good Knight, his new companion, and
to bring him one of the company's trumpets, greet-
ing him with these words: " Comrade, make
no excuses, here is your man."

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. '57

CHAPTER X.

Haw the good Knight caused a tourney to be published in
Ay re for the sake of the Ladies y wherein the most sue-
,cessful combatant was to receive a bracelet of gold, andu
fine diamond to give to his Lady.

Although the Knight without fear and without
4*eproach had great need of rest^ by reason of the
long journey he had taken, yet the proposal of his
comrade Tardieu suffered him not to sleep much
that night; his thoughts were employed upon the
tourney, and how it should be conducted. He
Tevolved the matter in his mind, and determined
respecting the execution of it, as you shall pre-
sently hear : for wh^n Tardieu came to see him
in the morning, aud brought him the trumpet, he
found the order >of the tourney written out, and
the way in which it was to be conducted set forth:
which was as follows : " That Pierre de Bayard,
young Gentleman, and novice in arms, native of
Dauphiny, one of the King's ordinary men of
arms, under the charge and conduct of the high

58 MEMOIRS OF

and mighty Lord of Ligny^ caused a tourney to
be cried and published for all comers, without the
town of Ayre, and adjoining the walls, on the
twentieth day of July, of three strokes of the
lance, without lists, and twelve of the sword, with
edged weapons, and in armour of war, the whole
on horseback; and that to him that performed
the best he gave a golden bracelet enamelled with
his device, and of the weight of thirty grains ;
that the next day there was to be a combat on
foot,^ at point of lance, within lists the height of
a man*s middle. And, after the lance was broken,
with blows of battle-a3ce, at the discretion of the
judges, and of them that kept the field; and that
he who did the best was to receive a diamond of
. forty crowns' value.

When Tardieu had seen the order, he said :
" By God, comrade, not Lancelot, nor Tristrem,
nor Gawaine could have done better. Trumpet,
go cry that in this town, and then you shall pro-
ceed from garrison to garrison, for the space of
three days, to inform all our friends thereof."
The reader must understand, that in Picardy
there were then seven or eight hundred men of
lirms, as the company of the Mareschal des Cordes,
Philippe de Crevecceur, that of the Scotch, that

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 59

of the Lord of la Palisse, a famed and virtuous
Captain^ and many others^ who by the said trumpet
were advertised of the tourney. They, therefore,
who had a mind to be present, at it, put themselves
in readiness, for the term was only of eight or ten
days ; however there wer^ not fewer than forty or
fifty men of arms upon the ranks. In the interval
before the desired day, the noble Knight Cap-
tain Louys d'Ars arrived, and was much delighted
at having come in time to be a sharer in the
sport. The good Knight, being informed of his
return, went to pay his respects to him, and they
gave each other a cordial welcome. To add still
more to the zest of the thing, next day Bayard
was rejoined by his firiend Bellabre, which greatly
rejoiced all the company. They entertained them-
selves every day in trying their horses, and giving
treats to the Ladies, wherein the good Knight,
among others, played his part very well, insomuch
that the Dames of the town, and divers who came
from the surrounding parts to see the tourney,
gave him the preference above all the rest ; which,
however, did not inspire him with any pride.

Now came the day appointed for the commence-
ment of the tourney, and every one entered the
ranks. Captain Louys d'Ars was one of the

60 MEMOIRS OF

judges^ and the Lord of St. Quentin the other.
The Gentlemen, numbered at forty-six, ranged
themselves in order, and were divided by lot,
without any unfair play, three-and-twenty on one
side, jftnd three-and-twenty on the other. When
they were all ready ,to begin, the trumpet sounded,
and after that declared, in all its particulars, the
order of the tourney. It was the good Knight's
place to present himself the first upon the ranks,
and against him came a neighbour of his from
Dauphiny, named Tartarin, who was very formi-
dable in the wielding of weapons. They ran at
X)ne another : Tartarin broke his lance half a foot
ofi* the head ; and the good Knight smote him at
the top of the great vantbrace, and broke his
spear into five or six pieces : at which trumpets
jsounded furiously, for it was a marvellous fine
joust. After having accomplished their course,
they returned for the second, and it was Tartarin's
fortune to pierce the vantbrace of the good Knight
about the elbow, so that all the company thought
his arm was wounded. . The good Knight hit his
adversary a blow over the visor, and brought away
a little chaplet of feathers.

Their courses being finished, Bellabre appeared
in. the Usts, and was encountered by a Scotch

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 61

gendarm^ named Captain David of Fougas^ and
they likewise did with their lances the utmost that
it was possible for Gentlemen to perform. Thus
they jousted^ two against two, till they had all
done running. Then they began to fight with
the sword; the good Knight, commencing accord-
juig to the order, with the first blow that he struck
broke his sword into two pieces, and fought so
well with the rest, up to the number of blows pre-
scribed, that it was unpossible for atiything to be
better. Afterwards the others came on in their
turns : and, for one day, according to the report of
all the spectators, and even of the judges, never was
better running with lance, or fighting with sword:
And although every one acquitted himself vastly
well, yet the good Knight, Bellabre, Tartarin,
Captain David, one belonging to the company of
my Lord of Cordes, named the Bastard of Chimay,
and Tardieu bore away the palm fi*om all the rest;
In the evening, when ievery one had done his
part, they all retired to the lodging of Bayard,
who had ordered a noble supper to be dressed,
and got a great number of Ladies together : all
those in Picardy within ten leagues around having
come to see this fine tourney ; and sumptuously
were they entertained. After supper there were

62 MEMOIRS OF

dances, and many, other pastimes, so that it was an
hour past midnight ere any one was tired. Then
they went home, one after another, conducting
the Ladies to the places where they were to spend
the night. It was very late in the day before
they were well awakened, and I can assure you
they were never weary of commending the good
Knight, both for his prowess in arms, and for
his courtesy : and indeed a more gracious and civil
Gentleman was not to be found in the whole
world.

Now, to go through with what was begun, next
day the soldiers all repaired to the house of their
Captain, Louys d' Ars : thither the good Knight
had also gone to invite him to dinner at his lodg-
ing, vnth the Lord of St. Quentin, to meet the
Ladies of the preceding evening; which was
agreed to. Then, after they had all been to hear
mass chanted, might you have seen the young
Gentlemen offering their arms to the Ladies, and
leading them, engaged in discourse on love and
other pleasing topics, to the lodging of the good
Knight, where, well as they had been entertained
the night before, at dinner they were so still bet-
ter. Not long remained the Lords and Ladies
within doors after dinner, but in the space of

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 63

about two hours all that were of the tourney
re-entered the ranks^ to perform the order of the
second day. Now he who thought he had little
chance of obtaining the first prize, flattered
himself with the hope of the next. The judges,
Lords, and Ladies being arrived upon the spot,
the tilt was opened by the good Knight without
fear and without reproach, in the usual manner.
Against him came a Gentleman from Hainault, of
high reputation, called Hanotin de Sucre; they
thrust furiously at one another above the lists,
with their lances, till they had broken them to
shivers. Then they took their battle-axes, which
they both had by their sides, and dealt each other
such sharp and rude strokes, that the combat
threatened to be a mortal one. At length, how<-
ever, the good Knight hit his adversary a blow
about the ear which made him first stagger, and
then kneel upon both knees, and, assailing him
again above the lists, he made him kiss the earth,
whether he would or no; which being seen of
the judges, they cried out : " Holla ! holla ! it is
enough I let them retire!"

After these two came Bellabre and Arnaulton of
Pierreforade, a Gascon Gentleman, and did won-
ders with their lances, which were immediately

64 MEMOIRS OF

broken. Then they came' to their battle-axes^ and
dealt each other fierce blows; but Bellabre broke
his, on which account the judges parted them.
After them Tardieu and David the Scotchman
entered the lists, and performed very ably : and so
on, each in his turn, during the space of seven hours,
till they had all done; and, for a Uttle tournament,
it displayed as good fighting as they who were at
it had ever beheld in their lives. When all was
ended each retired to his own house to disarm,
and then assembled at that of the good Knight,
where a banquet was prepared, and there the twQ
judges, the Lords of Ars and of St. Quentin, and
all the Ladies were already met. You may ima-
gine how much talk there was of the two days,
each saying what he thought on the subject. How-
ever^ supper being ended, it was now time for the
judges to make decision, and to award the prizes.
Many Gentlemen experienced in warlike matters
were asked their opinion on their honour, and then
the Ladies on their conscience, without favduriixg
one more than another. At last it was declared
both by Gentlemen and Ladies that, although
every one had acquitted himself extremely well,
nevertheless, in their opinion, the best combatant

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 65

on both days bad been the good Knight; they
therefore referred it to him^ as the gainer of the
prizes^ to bestow his presents where he should
think fit.

There was a great dispute between the two
judges which should pronounce the sentence,
but the gogd Captain Louys d'Ars entreated the.
Lord of St. Quentin so much, that at length he
agreed to do it. The trumpet sounded for silence,
which being obtained, his Lordship spoke thus :
" Oentlemep here assembled, especially you that
have fought at the tourney, of which Master
Pierre de Bayard hath offered the prizes for two
days, my Lor'd of Ars and myself, judges com-
missioned by you all to give a reasonable decree
on whom those prizes shall be most fitly bestowed,
we wish you to know, that, after having well and
duly inquired of all the brave and honourable
Gentlemen who have attended to see you fight,
and Ukewise of the noble Ladies here present, we
find that you have every one played your parts
very well, and very creditably. But beyond all,
without disparaging any, the Lord of Bayard hath
been, according to the common voice, on both
days the most worthy combatant. Wherefore the
Gentlemen and Ladies award to him the honour

VOL. I. F

66 MEMOIRS OF

of dispensing the prizes where he shall think, fit."
And addressing the good Knight, he said:
" Lord of Bayard, bethink you to whom you will
deliver them." He was quite ashamed, and re-
mained thoughtful a short space ; then said : " My
Lord, I know not why it is that I am favoured by
having this honour conferred on me ; as I think
there are some who have deserved it much more
than I ; but since it pleases the Lords and Ladies
to make me judge, entreating all the Gentlemen
my companions, who have done better than my-
self, not to be displeased at it, I give the prize of
the first day to my Lord of Bellabre, and that of
the second to Captain David the Scot."

So the presents were immediately deUvered to:
them, nor did any one, man or woman, murmur at
it, but the dances and sports were entered upon.
The Ladies could never be satisfied with speaking
well of the good Knight, who was so beloved in
Picardy as no man more. He remained there two
years, and during that time many tourneys and
Qther entertainments took place, in most of which
the good Knight bore away the bell. And the
chief reason why every one loved him was, that a
more liberal or gracious person could not be found
upon earth. None of h^s companions was ever

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 67

dismounted that he did not assist him to get upon
his horse again. Was he in possession of a
crown, all shared it. Young as he was, the first
thing he did when he rose was to serve God. He
was a great giver of ahns ; and there was no man,
during his life, who could say he had refused him
any thing within his power to grant. At the end
of two years the young King Charles of France
undertook his journey to Naples, accompanied by
the Lord of Ligny ; who therefore sent in good time
to fetch the Knight without fear and without re-
proach ; for, knowing his virtues, and the honour-
able manner in which he was spoken of, he would
by no means leave him behind.

68 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XL

Ilorv the King of France, Charles VII L, made preparations
to set out for the conquest of Naples, which he effected
by his prowess and valour, without much effusion of blood.

Two years afterwards, or thereabout, gQod
King Charles resolved to go and conquer the
Kingdom of Naples. The causes and occasions
whereupon he undertook the journey are fully con-
tained in other histories and chronicles, seeing
which to make a'long recital of them would only
weary my readers, and waste paper. Nevertheless,
as every one must have read and clearly under-
stood, the good King Charles accompUshect his
journey as honourably as it was possible. He
planted his Courts of Justice within Rome, brought
the Pope to reason, and entirely gained the King-
dom of Naples, where he left the Lord of Mont-
pensier as his Lieutenant-General and Viceroy.
Then he disposed himself to go back to France,
and met with no obstacle till he arrived at a place
called Fornova, where he found full sixty thousand

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 69

combatants^ all Italians, and belonging to various
Potentates, as the Pope, the Venetians, the Duke
of Milan, and many other Lords, who had schemed
to overthrow the good King on his return, and
take him prisoner; because they were assured that
he had left part of his forces in the Kingdom heS
had just conquered, and had not more than ten
thousand men with him.

Notwithstanding this, the good and noble
Prince, who had the heart of a lion, secure of
being well served by the few troops he had with
him, determined to wait and give them battle;
this he did with our Lord's aid, whereby his
enemies gained foul shame and heavy loss, and he
inestimable glory ;, for he had not seven hundred
men slain, whereas they lost eight or ten thousand
of their best ; specially the greatest Captains of
the Seigniory of Venice remained upon the field,
and many of the House of Gonzagua, the head
whereof is the Marquis of Mantua, who was there
likewise, but took advantage of his spurs and his
good steed ; and had it not been for the swelling
of a little stream, the overthrow would have been
more complete. At the first attack the good
Knight without fear and without reproach carried
himself triumphantly above all the rest, in the

70 MEMOIRS OF

company of his noble master the Lord of ligny,
and had two horses kiDed under him that day.
The King, being told of it, gave him five hundred
crowns, and the good Knight in return presented
him with the standard of some cavalry which he
had gained in the pursuit.

Thence the King proceeded to Vercelli, where
he found a fine troop of Swiss come to ofier him
their aid, if necessary. He remained some days
there with his camp, being desirous to reheve his
brother-in-law, the Duke of Orleans, who was be-
sieged in Novara by Lewis Sforza Duke of Milan,
and the Venetians. There was much going and
coming of people who busied themselves to bring
about peace, insomuch that some treaty was at
length adjusted. The King therefore returned to
Lyons, where he found the good Queen, his loyal
consort, and with her the Duchess of Bourbon,
her sister.

The King of France quitted that city for the
sake of visiting his good patron at St. Denys in
France, where his predecessors lay buried ; and
he spent two or three years in travelling up and
down his Kingdom, leading a very good and holy
life, and maintaining justice to the satisfaction of
his subjects : for he sat hinqiself in the chair of

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 71

justice twice a week, to hear the complaints and
grievances of all, and attended to the poorest.
He received tidings that the NeapoUtans had
revolted to Ferdinand, son of King Alphonso, and
also that his Lieutenant-General, the Count of
M ontpensier, was dead, and that all his Captains
were returning to France. So he proposed to him-
self to go thither in person, when he saw a fitting
opportunity. Meantime he lived in his own
Kingdom very virtuously, and had three children
by his wife, but they all died.

In the September of the year 1407, this good
Prince left Tours for Lyons, thinking to take his
journey to Naples ; but the project was abandoned,
on what account I know not* He returned to
Amboise, and on the 7th of April, in the follow-
ing year, whilst watching tennis-players in a
gallery was seized widi a weakness, which carried
him off soon after: an irreparable loss to the
Kealm of France ; as he had given proofs during
his whole reign, of the most excellent dispositions,
the most mild, gracious, clement and merciful. I
believe that God hath assigned him his portion
among the blessed, for the good Prince was not
{itained by a single unworthy vice. I have given
no detailed account of his life, it being set down
sufficiently elsewhere.

72 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XII.

How Lewis, Duke of Orleans^ succeeded to the crown of
France, as the nearest heir, with the name of Lewis XIL

On the demise of good King Charles, there
being no heir male^ Lewis, Duke of Orleans, as
next to him, succeeded to the throne, was conse«
crated at Rheims the 27th of May, 1408, and
crowned at St. Denys the first day of July ensuing.
He had espoused the Princess Joan of France,
sister of his predecessor : but by reason that it
was thought she could have no issue, and that he
bad married her against his inclination, from a
dread of the fury of her father, Lewis XI., he had
her called into court. On this occasion the Pope
appointed Judges to try the cause, and in the end
she was by them determined not to be his wife.
Wherefore, leaving her the Duchy of Berry for
her fortune, he married the Duchess of Brittany,
widow of the late King. Whether it were well
or ill done God alone knows. The good
Duchess of Berry livedo in holiness all her days,
and it hath been said that after her death God

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 73

worked miracles for her sake. The King on
his accession thought * fit to expose all the royal
offices to sale that did not relate to judicature,
whereby he obtained a large sum of money; for
he was terribly afraid of oppressing his people by
taxes and subsidies. What he had always most
at heart was, the recovery of his Duchy of
Milan, which belonged to him in right of the
Lady Yalentina his grandmother, and was with-
held at that time by the Lord Ludovic Sforza, as
it had previously been by his father. But they
of the House of Orleans, by reason of the long
wars carried on in France against the EngUsh, as
well as of the broils that sprung up on occasion of
the murder of the Dukes of Orleans and Bur^
gundy, had never been able to contend for their
right. He now found himself ii^ a condition to
dispute the point with his enemy* He made his
entry at Lyons on the tenth day of July, 14©8,
then caused his army to pass on into the County of
Asti, under the conduct of the Lord Jean Jacques
de Trivulce, and of the Lord of Aubigny, who
were both wise and valiant Knights* On first
entering they took and sacked two small places
palled Anon, and La Rocca. Thence they drew
off to Alexandria, and besieged them within who

74 MEMOIRS OF

were for Ludovic Sforza, and who defended them-
selves Tery well; but at -length the place was
taken. They of Pavia> learning this, submitted to
the King of France. Sforza, seeing himself in
these straits, thus deserted of his subjects, aban-
doned Milan, and retired into Germany, to Maxi-
milian, King of the Romans, who received him
joyfidly; they two having been at all times in
strict league together. Immediately upon his de-
parture the inhabitants of Milan surrendered to
the French; news whereof reaching the King
of France, he used all diligence to go and make
his public entry there.

A few days after, by means of money and pro-
misesy the French got possession of the Casde, he
who had it to keep for Ludovic Sforza playing
him a base and wicked trick : for by it his master
had always hoped to regain the Duchy. When
the other places heard that the Castle of Milan
had surrendered, they lost all hope, and submitted
to the King of France. In like manner did they
of Genoa, to whom he sent the Lord of Ravestain,
a near relation of his own on his mother's side, as
Governor. On the 4th of October, in the same
year, the Queen of France lay in of a fair girl,
named Claude. The King abode not long in the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 75

Duchy of Milan^ but, leaving the government
of it to«the Lord Jean Jacques, the Castle in
keeping of the Lord of Espy, and La Rocchetta
in that of a Scottish Gentleman, near of kin to the
Lord of Aubigny, he returned to Lyons. This
benefit he conferred on the Dutchy before his
departure that he lessened the tributes and imposi-
tions one third ; for which all the people praised
him marvellously, and he quite gained the hearts of
some. The King made no long sojourn atLyons,
but, proceeding, farther in his Kingdom, came to
Orleans, where he settled a dispute between the
Dukes of Gueldres and of JuUers, and made them
friends.

76 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XIII.

How, after the conquest of the Duchy of Milan, the ^ood
Knight remained in Italy; and how he held a tourney in
the town ofCarignan, in Piedmont, whereat he gained the
prize.

On the return of the King of France from
Italy in joy and gladness at having conquered his
Duchy of M ilan^ and made his enemy, Ludovic
Sforza, fly into Germany, to crave the aid of
Maximilian, King of the Romans, the garrisons
of the French were left behind in Lombardy
taking their pleasure, holding jousts, tourneys,
and other entertainments. The good Knight,
who in his childhood had been bred up in the
House of Savoy, went to visit a worthy Lady,
formerly married to his first master, Duke Charles.
The Lady's name was Blanch; she resided in
Piedmont, at a town belonging to her own dowry
called Carignan. Being fraught with all courtesy
she gave him a joyful welcome, and treated him
as though he had been a kinsman of her own.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 77

Now you must undetstand that there was no
house of Prince or Princess, in Italy, France, or
elsewhere, in which Gentlemen were better* enter-
tained, or more diversion afforded them, than in
this. Of the household was a very worthy Dame,
who had possessed great influence over the
Duchess in her youth, and did so still, named
Madame de Fluxas; her husband was also there,
an hpnest Gentleman, under whom the whole
house was managed. I must tell you that when
the good Knight was given as page to Duke
Charles of Savoy, this Madame de Fluxas was a
young Lady of the household, attendant upon the
Duchess ; and thus, as people at their time of
life are usually fond of associating together, they
formed such a mutual attachment, consistently
with honour, that, might tbey have followed their
mere inclinations, with little regard to conse-
quences, they would have straightway taken each
other in marriage. But you have already heard
how Duke Charles sent to Lyons to see the King
of France, and gave him the good Knight for his
page, through which the young lovers lost sight
of each other for a long time. The expedition to
Naples intervened, with many other occurrences.

78 MEMOIRS OF

for the space of four years, ere they had any in-
tercourse with each other except by letters.

During this time the Lady married the Lord
of Fluxas, one possessed of much wealth, and who
took her for her personal graces ; as of the goods
of fortune she had very few. But desiring, as a
virtuous woman might, to let the good Knight see
that the honourable love she had borne him in for-
mer years still lasted, on his arrival at Carignan
she showed him all the kindness and courtesy
which a Gentleman could possibly receive, and
talked much about their youth, and many other
matters. This noble Dame of Fluxas, who, in
the adornments of beauty, as well as of a sweet
and gracious manner of speaking, yielded to no
woman in the world, eulogized the good Knight
in her discourse most highly. She reminded him
of his success in arms when he made his first
attempt against Messire Claude de V^uldr^, of the
tourney that he won at Ayre in Picardy, and of the
honour that he gained in the battle of Fomova,
the fame whereof was spread throughout France
and Italy. In brief, she extolled and blazoned
him to such a degree that the poor Gentleman
blushed for shame. Quoth she to him : " My

THE cnEVALIER BAYARD. 79

Lord of Bayard^ my friend, this is the House in
which you were first brought up ; and it were a
most unseemly thing if you made not yourself
known here, as you have done elsewhere." The
good Knight replied : *^ Madam, you are aware
that, from your youth I have loved, prized, and
honoured you, and I hold you so wise and well
taught that you wish ill to no one, and to me least
of all people. Be kind enough to tell me what
it is you would have me do, to please her Lady-
ship my good mistress, yourself above all^'^^nd
the rest of the fair and worthy company here
assembled." The Dame of Fluxas then said :
" It appears to me, my Lord of Bayard, (but let
me not be troublesome to you,) that you would do
well to hold a tourney in this town, for the honour
of my Lady, who will take it in exceeding good
part. You have hereabouts many French Gen-
tlemen of your own company, and others of the
country, who will take delight in being present at
it, I am very certain." " Truly," said the good
Knight, " since you wish it, the thing shall be
done. You are the first Lady in the world who
ever gained my heart to her service, by her
charms. I am sure that I shall never have any
thing of you but your lips and hands, for, by

80 MEMOIRS OF

seeking more, I should only lose my labour : and
on my soul, I had rather die than press you with
a dishonourable suit. I do pray that you will
give me. one of your sleeves, for I have need
of it" The Lady, not knowing what he wanted
with it, deUvered it to him, and he put it into the
sleeve of his doublet, without explaining himself
further.

Supper w^s now ready, at which every one
made good cheer, and then the dances began, all
acquitting themselves to the best of their abilities^
The Lady Blanch talked with the good Knight
about his bringing up, till midnight, when it
became time to retire. The latter however closed
not his eyes the whole night, as you may imagine^
but lay meditating on what he had to do, and settled
it all in his own mind. In the morning he sent a
trumpet to the towns round about, where there
were garrisons, to inform the Gentlemen, that, if
they would repair, within four days after that
Sunday, to the town of Carignan, arrayed in
armour of war, he should bestow a prize, consist-
ing of his Lady's sleeve, with a ruby worth an
hundred ducats appended thereto, upon him who
should perform the best at three strokes of the
lance, without lists, and twelve of the sword. The

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 81

trumpeter did his devoir, and brought back a
written answer from fifteen Gentlemen, who pro-
mised to attend. This came to be known by the
Lady Blanch, who was right glad of it, and had
her scaffold erected on the place where the
courses and the combat were to be enacted. On
the day fixed, about an hour after noon, the good
Knight entered the ranks, armed at all points,
with three or four of his comrades, as the Lord of
Bouvent, the Lord of Mondragon,- and others ;
but they had not been there long before all the
rest, who intended to run, presented themselves.
First began the good Knight, and against him
came the Lord of Rouastre, a gallant Gentleman,
bearing the ensign of Duke Philibert of Savoy;
he was an expert and daring Knight, and made a
brave thrust with his lance, which shivered it into
three or four splinters. But the good Knight
dealt him so resolute a blow on the top of his
great bu£^ that, piercing it right through, he un-
cased him, and made his spear fly into five or six
pieces. The Lord of Rouastre resumed his, and
ran the second course, in which he performed very
well, and broke his lance as potently as the first
time, or more so. But the good Knight smote
him within the visor, knocked off his crest, and

VOL. f, G

82 MEMOTR& OF

made him stagger : howbeit he was not unhorsed.
At the thurd bout the Lord of Rouastre crossed ;
the good Knight's lance flew into shivers. After
them came Mondragon and the Lord of Cheuron,
who performed their courses to the admiration of
every . one. Two others followed them ; and
finally they all did themselves much credit^ and
gave satisfaction to the company.

The spears being made an end of^ it grew
time that the swords should come into play:
but the good Knight had no sooner struck two
blows than he broke his own, and caused his
adversary's to fly out of his hand. Then came
they on one after another^ and acquitted themselves
after such a fashion that their performance could
not have been exceeded^ and ere all was over it
waxed very late. The Lady Blanch invited the
Gentlemen, by the Lord of Fluxas, to sup at the
Castle, which none of them decHned, and you may
be sure they were handsomely treated, as was the
&shion of that place. After supper the hautboy
players and minstrels sounded their instruments^
when, before the dancing commenced, the prize
must be given to him who had, iii reason, deserved
it. The Lords of Grandmont and of Fluxas, who
were the judges questioned all present, as weH

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD, 83

Gentlemen and Ladies, as the combatants them-
selves, and it was their unanimous opinion that
the good Knight had gained the prize by the law
of arms. Accordingly the judges came to present
it to him ; but he, blushing with shame, refused
it, saying that this honour was attributed to him
wrongfully. and without cause : but that if he had
done any thing well the Lady of Fluxas was the
occasion of it, she having lent him her sleeve, and
that he referred it to her to bestow the prize
where she thought fit. The Lord of Fluxas, who
was not ignorant of the hbnourable character of
the good Knight, conceived no jealousy of him,
and went straight to his wife, with the Lord of
Grandmont, saying : " Madam, my Lord of
Bayard, to whom the prize of the tourney hath
been awarded, declares, in presence of your hus-
band, that it is you who have won it, on account
of your sleeve which you have given him ; there-
fore he sends it you to dispose of it as you like."
She, who was admirably versed in the arts of
politeness, appeared nothing confused, but thank-
ing the good Knight very humbly for the honour
he did her, spoke these words : " Since my Lord
of Bayard is good enough to say that my sleeve
hath made him gain the prize, I will keep it all my

G 2

84 MEMOIRS OF

life for his sake. But with regard to the ruby, since
he will not accept it, as the most worthy combatant,
I am of. opinion that it should be given to my Lord
of Mondragon, who is thought to have done the
best after him.", What she ordained was executed,
no one murmuring at it. The Lady Blanch
felt much satisfaction in having bred up such a
personage as the good Knight, whom every one
spoke highly of. The prize being given, dancing
commenced, and lasted till past midnight, when all
separated. The French Gentlemen remained
five or six days longer at Carignan in the midst of
sports and festivities, passing their time most agree-
ably, and then returned to their garrisons. The
good Knight also took leave of the Dutchess, his
worthy mistress, telling her, that there was no
Prince or Princess in the world, after his Sovereign,
to whose service he was more devoted than to
hers : for which she thanked him kindly. Then
he proceeded to say farewell to his first love the
Dame of Fluxas, who could not part from him
without shedding tears, and he on his side was
greatly moved. This honourable affection lasted
between them till death, and no year passed that
they did not send presents to each other. For a
whole month nothing was talked of at the Gastle,

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 85

and in the town of Carignan, but the prowess,
honour, gentleness and courtesy of the good
Knight. And he was as much set by in the former
place as if he had been the heir of it. During
his stay there he found Pisou de Chenas serving
in some office, he that had been head groom to his
ma§ter, Duke Charles of Savoy, and from whom
he had once received civilities, which he was then
desirous of requiting. After having taken him to
his lodging, and entertained him well, he gave
him a horse worth fifty crowns, for which the
good man thanked him from the bottom of his
heart. He asked what had become of the equerry
that had charge of him when he was one of the
household. Pisou de Chenas replied, that he
dwelt at Montcallier, whither he had retired on
marrying, and was grown very gouty. The good
Knight, not ungrateful for his kindness to him in
times past, sent him a very good and handsome
mule by the same Pisou : and by so doing he
clearly showed that he had not forgotten the
benefits conferred on him in his earlier years.

86 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XIV.

Hcyw the Lord Ludovic Sforza returned from Germany ivith
a good number of LansquenetSy and retook the town of
Milan from the French,

You have heard how the Lord Ludovic retired
mto Germany to the Emg of the Romans ; now
it must be understood that he went not thither
unprovided with money, of which he had great
need for the enterprize he was meditating; as
appeared by proof, for, a little while after he had
beea driven away, he returned into Lombardy
with a good number of German forces, both
cavalry and infantry, along with some Swiss, and
some Burgundian gendarms.

On the 3d of January, by means of private
intelligence, he retook the town of Milan, and
drove the French out: however the Castle remained
still in the King's power. Following the example
of this place several towns in the Dutchy revolted:
among others, all those on the way to Genoa, as
Tortona, Voghiera, and divers Castles. When

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 87

the King of France heard of the troubles m his
Dutchy, like a valiant and vigorous Prince, he
mustered a great army to send thither, at the head
of which he put the Lord of Ligny, and the Lord
Jean Jacques, who assembled their army in the
Astesan^ and began to march* I must now give
you some account of what occui^ed to the good
Knight without fear and without reproach during
the time that Sforza was within Milan, and a little
while after he took it. He had remained, by his
master's permission, in Italy, when the King
returned to France, being addicted to arms above
all things else in the world, and imagining that,
ere he had remained long there, the Lord Ludo-
vie, who was gone to seek succours in Ger-
mimy, would return with forces, and consequently
that some fighting would ensue; for not much
had taken place on the first conquest of the
Dutchy. He was in garrison twenty miles from
Milan, with other young Gentlemen, who were
makmg marveUous fine courses against one ano-
ther continually.

One day the good Knight was informed that,
within Binasco, there were three hundred horse,
whom it would be very easy to defeat : so he be-
sought his conurades that they would be pleased

88 MEMOIRS OF

to. go and pay them a visit in his company.
Being greatly beloved by all he easily carried his
point: so they got ready betimes in the morning,
and went, to the number of forty or fifty men,
to try if they could do any good service. The
Captain who commanded within Binasco, was a
very worthy Knight, wise, and experienced in war,
named Messer Giovanni Bernardino Cazache*
Having good spies, he received intelligence that
the French were on their way to come and attack
him. Unwilling to be caught unprepared, he put
himself in a posture of defence, and drew out his
men two bow-shots from the gates. So he pro-
ceeded to reconnoitre the enemy, the sight of
whom gave him great satisfaction ; as he was of
opinion from their small number, that they could
work him no dishonour. They began to approach
one another crying, " France^ France;^ " Moor^
Moor;' and great and perilous was tjie shock:
for both parties were dismounted, and had much
difficulty in getting upon their horses again.
Whoever had seen the good Knight doing martial
deeds, cutting off heads, and hewing arms and
legs, would have sooner taken him for a furious
lion than for an amorous young Gentleman.
Briefly, this conflict lasted an hour, and victory was

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 89

still undecided; which greatly disturbed the good
Knight^ and he said to his comrades : '^ Gentle-
men, shall these few hold us at work all day ? If
they within came to know of it, not one of us would
escape. Let us instantly take heart, and beat
them off the field." The words of the good
Knight mspired valour into his companions/and,
shouting ** France^ France T with one accord,
they made a sharp and terrible assault upon the
Lombards ; who began to lose ground, and to re-
coil before them, defending themselves very well.
They continued to retreat for about four or five
miles toward Milan, till, seeing themselves very
near it, they turned their horses' heads, and
galloped at fiiU speed to the town.

The French followed so fast that they were
hard upon them; then one of the eldest, who was
well acquainted with war, cried, " Turn, man at
arms, turn." Which every one obeyed but the
good Knight, who, quite heated, continued to
chase and pursue his enemies. So that he entered
Milan amid them in the confusion, and pursued
them as far as the Palace, where the Lord
Ludovic had taken up his abode. As he bore the
white crosses every one cried, " Take him, Take
him;^ he was surrounded on all sides and made

90 MEMOIRS OF

prisoner by Cazc^cke^ who led him to his own
house^ and had him disarmed. . Finding him
a very young Grendeman, not more than two or
three and twenty years old» he was astonished
that at such an age he could be possessed of the
prowess he had witnessed in him. The Lord
Ludovic, who had heard the uproar, inquired the
occasion of it : some that were acquainted with the
affidr, related it to him, and how the Lord Gio-
vanni Bernardino, while at Binasco, had been
attacked by the French> who had at length driven
him into Milan, and that amongst them in the
chase a Frenchman had entered, a marvellously
bold and valiant Gentleman, and extremely young.
Then he ordered them to go and conduct him into
his presence, which was immediately done.

THE CHEVALIER JBAYARD. 91

CHAPTER XV.

Hem the Lord Ludomc wanted to see the good Knight with-
out Jear and without reproach; and how, after having
talked with him, he sent him back, and earned his horse and
his arms to be restored to him.

They went straight to the house of the Lord
Giovanni Bernardino, to seek his prisoner, and
carry him to Ludovic Sforza, who had sent for
him. The Captain was afraid lest that Lord in his
fury should o&r him some affront ; therefore, being
a courteous and benevolent personage, he chose
to conduct the good Knight himself, after having
clothed him in his own apparel, and put him into
the plight of a Grentleman. Then he presented
him to the Lord Ludovic, who marvelled, when
he saw him so young, that he should have gained
such high applause. However he accosted him,
saying: " Come hither, my Gentleman, who
brought you into this town ?" The good Knight,
not in the least daunted, made answer : ^^ Faith,
my Lord, I thought not to enter alone, and sup-

92 V MEMOIRS OF

posed that my companions were following me,
but they understood war better than I: — had they
so done they would have been taken prisoners as
well as myself. Howbeit, with the exception of
this mishap, I commend my fortune, which hath
caused me to fall into the hands of so good a master
as he that hath me in keeping ; for he is a very
wise and valiant Knight."

Then the Lord Ludovic asked him upon his
honour how numerous the army of the King of
France was. " On my soul, my Lord," replied he,
" it consists of fourteen or fifteen hundred gen-
darms, and sixteen or eighteen thousand foot.
But they are all chosen men, who have resolved
to labour hard till they have secured the State of
Milan to the King their master. And it appears
to me, my Lord, that you would be as safe in

Germany as here; for your people are not fit to
war with us." The good Knight spake so boldly

ft ....

that the Lord Ludovic was quite pleased, notwith-
standing that what he had said was enough to
startle him. But, to show that he cared Uttle for
the return of the French, he said, as it were jest-
ingly : " On my honour, my Gentleman, I have a
great desire to see the King of France his army and
mine encounter one another, in order that it may

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD.' 93

be ascertained in battle to whom this territory of
right belongeth ; tl^ere seems to me no other way
of settUng the affair/*

" By my oath, my Lord," said the good Knight,
" I would it were to-morrow, provided that I was
out of prison." " Truly, it shall not stick there,"
replied the Lord Ludovic, " for I set you free
immediately ; and moreover, ask what you will of
me, and it shall be granted." The good Knight
thanked the Lord Ludovic on his knees for the
offers he had made him, as was due, and said :
" My Lord, I ask nothing of you ; except that if
you will extend your courtesy so far as to cause
my horse, and my arms, which I have brought
hither, to be restored to me, and will send me to my
garrison, which is twenty miles hence, you will do
me a very great favour, and one for which I shall feel
myself obliged to you all my life : and, as far as is
compatible with the service of the King my master,
and my own honour, I shall be very willing to
make acknowledgment in any thing that you may
be pleased to command." " In goo^d faith," said
the Lord Ludovic, " your request shall be com-
plied with directly." So he said to Messer Gio-
vanni Bernardino : *^ Captain, let them instantly
find him his horse, arms, and all his accoutre-

94 MEMOIRS OP

ments." " My Lord," said the Captain, " it is
easy to find them; they are all at my house.'*
Upon that he sent two or three servants thither
immediately, to fetch his horse, and his arms, and
the Lord Ludovic made him arm in his presence.
When he was equipped he mounted his horse,
without putting foot into the stirrup. Then he
asked for a lance, which was given him, and raising
his visor, he said : " My Lord, I thank you for
your courtesy : the Lord requite you!" He was
in a handsome and spacious court; so he put
spurs to his horse, which took four or five most
spirited leaps ; then he coursed him a little, and,
in so doing, broke his lance against the ground
into five or six pieces, at which the Lord Ludovic
was not over deUghted, and said aloud : " If all
the French gendarms were like this one, I should
be at a fearful pass." Nevertheless he gave him
a trumpet to conduct him to his garrison : but he
went not so far ; for the French army was now
^only ten or twelve miles from Milan, fully informed
of the capture of the good Knight, and of the
daringness he had displayed ; though his conduct
savoured somewhat of his youth. When he
arrived at the camp, his good master, the Lord of
Ligny, went to meet him, and s^id, laughing :

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ^ 95

" Ah 1 Picquet! who hath released you from prison^
eh? Have you paid your ransom? In truth I
purposed sending one of my trumpets to discharge
it and bring you back." " My Lord," said the
good Knight, " I thank you very humbly for your
kind intention : the Lord Ludovic, of his great
courtesy, hath set me free." So he related to
them every particular of his being taken, and of
his deliverance. All his companions came to see
him, and welcomed him heartily. The Lord Jean
Jacques asked whether he thought there were
any hopes, from the look and discourse of the
Lord Ludovic, that he would give battle ; to which
the good Knight replied : " My Lord, he let me
not so far into his counsels ; but, to all appearance,
he is a man that may not be easily daunted : you
wiU see what will happen in a few days. For my
own part, I cannot complain of him, so well and
honourably hath he behaved toward me. Most
of his people are in Novara, and he hath resolved
upon sending for them to Milan, or joining them
there."

96 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XVL

Haw the Lord Ludacic retired into Naoara, suspecting
that the French wotdd enter Milan hy the Castle, and how
he was taken.

When the Lord Ludovic knew that the anny
of the King of France was so near Milan^ and
considered that the Castle was not in his hands^
he doubted 'that he should be surprized within
the town; so he stole away by night with the
forces that he had in Milan^ except a few which
he left there with his brother, the Cardinal Asca-
nio, and went to see his army at Novara ; whither,
when the matter became known in the French
camp, the King's Lieutenant, with the Lord of la
Trimouille, who had arrived there a few days
before, resolved to go and attack him. The
Lord Ludovic had numerous forces, but of very
different nations, as Burgundians, Germans, and
Swiss, and on this account not very easy to govern.
For, however it came to pass, in a few days this
town of Novara surrendered into the hands of the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 97

King of France his Lieutenants. And, because a
report ran that the Lord Ludovic was not in the
town, and that he had retired for a second time
into Germany, it was ordained that the infantry
should all pass under the pike; which they did:
and amongst them was recognised this poor Lord
Ludovic, who submitted to the Lord of Ligny,
when he found there was no help for it. I cannot
tell how it happened, but he had been terribly ill
served. This took place on the Friday before
Palm Sunday, in the year 1500. The rest of his
army came off clear. I believe that they did re-
ceive some pay ; for it was* said that the Swiss,
whom the Lord Ludovic had with him, mutinied
for want of pay: but since, I have heard the con-
trary, and that they were corrupted by the Bailiff
of Dijon, who had great credit with them. More-
over the number of Swiss in the French army was
greater than of those within Novara, and they
declined fighting against one another. I have
seen that happen many times in France, and occa-
sion much mischid*.

However it came about, the Lord Ludovic
remained a prisoner, and was conducted forthwith
to Lyons, then to the Liz St. George, and, lastly,
to the Castle of Loches, in which he ended his

VOL. I. H

^-.

98 MEMOIRS OF

days. It was a great pity, for he had been a
f^^mous Prmce in his life, but fortune looked
unkindly on him at the latter end of it. The
Cardinal Ascanio, his brother, who had remained
in Milan, when he heard of this mischance, sent
his two nephews, children of the Lord Ludovic,
for safety into Germany, to the King of the
Romans. For his own particular, he fled, well
and numerously accompanied, namely, by four or
five hundred horse, to Bologna ; but was taken
prisoner on the road by a Venetian Captain, called
Sonzino di Gonzagua ; who afterwards delivered,
him into the hands of the French ; but he gave
not up his personal goods and baggage, which
were estimated at two hundred thousand ducats.
When they of the Dutchy of Milan, who had re-
volted on the return of Ludovic Sforza, knew that
he had been taken, it was not long ere they turned
round again to the French, as they were terribly
afraid of being sacked and plundered. But they
met with nothing but mildness and friendship
from them ; having to do with a good Prince and
virtuous Captains.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 99

CHAPTER XVII.

How the Lord of lAgny went to visit Voghiera, Tortona,
and other places in the Dutchy ofMiUuiy whkh the King
had given him : and of a handsome action which the
good Knight did.

The reader must understand that^ when the
King of France made his first conquest of the
Dutchy of M ilan^ he wished to recompense his
good servants by giving them lands and Lordships
in the same : in particular to the Count of Ligny
he gave Tortona, Voghiera, and some other
places ; the inhabitants whereof-^ revolted on the
retinrn of the Lord Ludovic, which greatly toubled
the Lord of Lagny. So he resolved to go and
visit them, taking along with him his Lieutenant,
the worthy Captain Louys d'Ars, the good Knight
without fear and without reproach, who at that
time bore his standard, and many other Gentle-
men. He came to Alessandria, and gave out that
he should deUver up Tortona and Voghiera to be
pillaged ; though he was of too good a disposition
to intend any such thing. When his subjects

100 MEMOIRS OF

heard of his coming, and of the report which went
about of their destruction, they were quite thun-
derstruck, and not without reason. They held
counsel together that they would send a deputation
to their Lord, in the humblest ^uise possible, to
implore his clemency ; which they did ; and twenty
of the most considerable inhabitants went two
miles from Voghiera to make their excuses to him.
But though they were brought before the Lord
of Ligny, and he knew them well enough, yet he
made as if he saw them not, and passed on through
the town to the lodging that had been taken for
him.

The poor people who had gone to meet him
were much confounded at so uncomfortable a re-
ception. They retired into their town as quietly
as possible, and sought means of speaking with
the Captain Louys d'Ars, that he might appoint
a time for them to appear before their Lord:
which he promised to effect if possible ; for there
never lived a better natured man. Accordingly
he assigned them the next day. Meanwhile he
went to expostidate with the Lord of Ligny, beg-
ging that he would be graciously pleased to give
them a hearing: which was granted to his request:
and on the morrow, after dinner, fifty of the most

•• >

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 101

considerable townsmen came to his lodging, and
threw themselves on their knees before him, bare-
headed, crying out " Mercy''' Then one among
them, a very eloquent man, began to utter these, or
similar words, in the Italian tongue ; " My Lord,
your very humble and very obedient subjects
and servants of this poor town of yours, recom-
mend themselves with their whole heart, and with
all possible humility, to your good favour: beseech-
ing you, of your nobless, to pardon the crime
they have been guilty of, as well toward their
Sovereign, the King of France, as toward your-
self, in having revolted. And consider, in your .
own bosom, that this is no town to hold out against
an armed force; and that, however they may have
acted, their hearts remained unchanged, and were
still completely French. And if, through their
poorness of spirit, they have committed a heavy
offence, of your great goodness let your wrath be
assuaged, as they assure you, my Lord, they will
never transgress in like manner again; and should
they, abandoned by God, be led at any time to
return to their former error, they put their wives,
their children, and all they possess, at your dispo-
sal; and to demonstrate how desirous they are of
remaining as I say in regard to you, they offer

102 MEMOIRS OF

you, in all humility, a little present, proportionable
to their means, consisting of three hundred marks
of silver plate, which you will be pleased to accept,
as a token that your anger against them is allay-'
ed."

Then he held his peace, and caused basins,
cups, goblets, and other silver vessels to be pro-
duced upon two tables, which the Lord of ligny
deigned not even to look at: but replied scorn-
fully, like an incensed man: ^^ How dare ye come
into my presence, wicked, base, infamous wretches,
who have revolted like cowards, without cause or
reason? What confidence henceforward can I
ever place in you? Had your town been laid
siege to, cannonaded, and assaulted, it would have
been a different affair: but the enemies never even
shewed you their faces : which clearly proves that
you acquiesced in the usurpation of this Dutchy of
your own free will and inclination. Ought I not,
if I did my duty, to have you hung and strangled,
like disloyal traitors, on the cross-work before
your own windows? Go fly from before me!
Let me never see you more !*' All the while he
was speaking these words the poor citizens re-
mained on their knees.

Then the valorous and discreet Captain Louys

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 103

d'Ars took off his cap, and said with one knee
on the ground : *' My Lord, for the honour of God
and his Passion, do nie the favour of foregoing,
at my request, your displeasure towards them :
for I have promised them as much, and they
would never more put any trust in me, if you denied
me. I hope, my Lord, that you will find them
good and true subjects all your lifetime.'' The poor
people, without waiting for his answer, all began
with one voice to cry ; " My Lord, it shall be as
the Captain says, if it please your Lordship.'*
The good Count, hearing their clamour, was
moved to pity, and almost weeping, made them
rise, and said two thmgs to them, the one friendly,
the other severe, to shew that they had grievously
offended. " In the first place, Go," said he,
" for the sake of Captain Louys d'Ars, who hath
rendered me so many services that I would not
refuse him a much greater matter. I pardon
you, and never repeat the offence. But, as for
your present, you don't deserve that I should
condescend to take it." Then looking around
him, he cast his eyes upon the good Knight, to
whom he said : " Picquet, take all this plate, I
give it you for your kitchen ;" to which.he instantly
replied, " My Lord, I humbly thank you for the

104 MEMOIRS OF

favour you do me: but God forbid that goods
which come from such wicked people should
enter my house! They would bring me ill
luck." So he took all the plate, piece by piece,
and made a present of some part of it to every
one there present, without retaining* the value of
a penny for himself; which astonished all the
company: for at that time he knew not how to
come by ten crowns.

When he had disposed of the whole he left the
room, as did the inhabitants. Thereupon the
Lord of Ligny thus bespoke them that remained:
" What say you, my Lords ? Have you seen the
spirit of Picquet, and his liberality? Hath not
God done him great wrong in not making
him the Monarch of some puissant Realm? He
would then have won the whole world by his
courtesy. Believe me, he will come to be one of
the perfectest characters upon earth." In brief
all the company greatly applauded the good
Knight. When the Lord of Ligny had thought
a little space, and recollected that nothing re-
mained to Bayard of the present he had made him,:
he sent him, as soon as he got up next day, a
beautiful dress of crimson velvet Uned with em-
broidered satin, a very excellent steed, and three^

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 105

hundred crowns in a purse ; which lasted him not
long; for his comrades all shared it. In a few
days the Lord of ligny returned to Milan^
whither the Cardinal d'Amboise^ Lieutenant-
General for the King, was arrived. And thence
he proceeded to France.

106 MEMOIRS OF ■

CHAPTER XVIir.

H&w the King of France sent a great army to Naples,
where he made the Lord of Anhigny his Lieutenant-
General,

The reader hath already been told how, after
the death of the Lord of Montpensier, the Nea-
politans revolted, and all the French returned
into their own country: which caused King Charles
the Eighth great vexation, and would have been
avenged by him had he Uved: but death
anticipated him. As soon as ever King Lewis
the Twelfth came to the crown, he wished to be-
stow his whole attention upon the conquest of his
Dutchy^of Milan, on which account the affairs of
the said Kingdom remained a long time in sus-
pense; and Ferdinand, son of Alphonso, being
dead, his uncle Frederic now reigned there. I
must observe one thing namely, that, when the
late King Charles conquered the Kingdom, he
married his cousin, the Lord of Ligny, to a great
Lady of the country, called the Princess of Alta-
mura, but she lived not long. For, when that

* *

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 107

King returned into France^ he took the Lord of
Ligny with him; uponwhich^ it was rumoured,
the Lady died of grief.

By her death, and also by gift of King Charles,
divers lands had remained to the Lord of Ligny
in the said Kingdom, especially in Puglia, as Ye-
nosa, Canosa, Monervino, BisegUa, and many
others. Therefore, when King Lewis grew desi-
rous of sending to reconquer that State of his,
the Lord of Ligny surely thought to have gone
thither: but his journey was broken off twice,
and the mortification he felt on this account, some
said, brought him to his end. So the Lord of
Aubigny, a very noble and valiant Captain, was
sent to be lieutenant-General there, attended
with a numerous force both of horse and foot :
among which was the Lord of Ligny's company,
under the conduct of his good Lieutenant, Cap-
tain Louys d'Ars. Now the good Knight had
no thought of remaining behind, therefore he
asked leave to depart of his kind Lord, who
granted it with much regret, having conceived a
great affection for him; and they never saw
each other again.

Thus marched this valiant Captain, the Lord
of Aubigny, straight to Naples, where he made

108 MEMOIRS OF

such happy exertions, and Don Frederic found
so little aid and friendship from his men^ that he
was forced to abandon the Kingdom. He entered
into some agreement with the Lord of Aubighy,
who sent him with his wife and children to France ;
where he was well received by the King, and had
the Dutchy of Anjou with other lands deUvered
to him, (agreeably to the composition ;) these same
he enjoyed till his death. After that took place his
wife was not very well treated, which appears to
me to have been amiss; and, for the widow of a
King, she was reduced to great necessity. The
Realm of Naples being won by. this Lord of
Aubigny, he settled his garrisons there by com-
panies. That of the Count of Ligny was placed
in his own domains, the government of some of
which Captain Louys d'Ars conferred on the
good Knight, who discharged that duty very well.
There was peace for some time between the King
of Arragon, who pretended a right to those domi-
nions, and the King of France who had left him
some portion of them: and that peace was pro-
claimed at Lyons the same year, between France,
Spain, and the King of the Romans, by means of
the Duke of Austria, who had the eldest daughter
of Spain to wife, and Returning with her passed

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 109

through Lyons, and went to see his sister then
Dutchess of Savoy, It was but a hollow peace ;
for at that very time the King of Arragon sent a
great force, by secret understanding with Pope
Alexander, to Gonsalvo Hernandez in the said
Kingdom, who retook the city of Naples, and
great part of it revolted. The Lord of Aubigny
did what he could ; but at last was obliged to
retire into Puglia.

It is not my purpose to speak further of what
took place in Naples during two or three years,
nor of the battles of Cirignuola, of Troia, of the
Garigliano, and many others, in some of which
the French were successful, and in others the
reverse; for these things are treated of at large
elsewhere. Though I must observe that, in the
last, either for want of discipUne, or of good fight-
ing, the French were completely driven out, in
the year 1504, and never returned afterward.
Whether such were the will of God is not for me
to say ; but without hesitation I can affirm that
neither he who drove them out then, nor he who at
present possesses the Realm, hath any right there,
except that of force, — the point which all princes
strive at last to come to. I intend to speak solely
of the fortunes of the good Knight without fear

110 ikEMOIRS OF

and without reproach, during the hot war which
the French and Spaniards carried on against oni
another. And first I will tell you of an adventure
which he was engaged in.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. lH

CHAPTER XIX.

Horu) the good Knight without fear and without reproach
went out of his garrison at Monervino, How he met
with Spaniards in thefieldy and what came of it.

As the good Knight was in a garrison^ where
the valiant Captain Louys d'Ars had placed him^
called Monervino^ with some of his comrades,
tired of being pent up for such a length of time
without seeing the country, he said to them one
evening : " Gentlemen, methinks we stay idling
here too long, instead of going to seek our ene-
mies ; from this two great evils may arise ; one is,
that, for want of exercising arms frequently, we
shall all grow effeminate : the other, that our foes
will take new courage, thinking that we dare not
quit our strong hold for fear of them. Wherefore
I am resolved to go to-morrow and make an ex-
cursion between this place and Andri, or Barletta;
perhaps too we may meet with scouts from their
army, which I shall greatly rejoice in; for we
may have a skirmish together, and let them win
the honour to whom God shall vouchsafe it."

US MEMOIRS OF

To these words not one but answered agreeably
to his wishes ; so they who intended to be of the
excursion looked to their horses, and put them-
selves in order to perform what they had under-
taken. They rose very early, and went afield,
about thirty young Gentlemen, all on horseback,
and rode, very resolute, toward the enemies* gar-
risons, hoping to have some notable rencounter.
That same day there had left the town of Andri,
impelled by a similar motive, a Spanish Gentleman
closely related to the great Captain Gonsalvo
Hernandez, named Don Alonso de Sotomayor, a.
very noble Knight, aind skilled in armis, having in
his company forty or fifty Spaniards, all chosen
warriors, and mounted on horses from their own
country. Such was the luck of the two Captains,
that, on descending from a Uttle hill, they spied
each other, at about the distance of a cannon shot:
both were highly delighted, (which the most so I
am unable to say,) especially when they perceived
that their force was equal. Then the good Knight,
when he had clearly made out the red crosses,
began thus to address his people : " My friends,
we are, on the point of battle. I pray let every
one take special care of his honour, and, if you see
me not do my duty this day, look on me ever after

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD.. 113

as a coward and a braggart." All ahiswered, " Let
us go, Captain, let us fall on our enemies first ; we
will not allow them the honour of commencing/'
Then they lowered their visors, and crying ^'France /
France r^ put their horses to a great gallop in
order to charge their adversaries : who, with a
fierce and sturdy countenance, riding at full speed,
and crying " Spain ! St. logo .'" received them
gallantly at their spear points. In this first shock
of the encounter both sides were borne down to
the earth, and raised by their companions with
great difficulty. The engagement lasted half an
hour ere it could be discovered which party had
the advantage ; and, as each desired that the issue
should be to his own glory, they set upon one
another, as if they had been quite fresh, with a
most perilous assault. But, as every one knows,
in such affairs one side or the other must of neces-
sity come off* victorious: so it befel the good
Knight, through his own strong endeavour, and
the courage that he inspired into his people, that,
in this last outset, he broke through the Spaniards.
There remained dead on the field to the number
of seven, and as many were taken prisoners ; the rest
took to flight, and among them the Captain Don

VOL. I. I

.1L4 MEMOIRS OF

Alonso : but he was closely pursued by the good
Knight, who often called out to him: "Turn,
cavalier! great disgrace wilt thou incur if thou
diest flying ; better choose honourable death, than
shameful flight." Then, like an enraged lion, he
turned round upon the good Knight, and fiercely
attacked him; and they gave each other fifty
blows with the sword, never pausing for a single
moment. Meantime the other Spaniards con-
tinued to fly, abandoning their Captain, who,
though left alone, fought on gaUantly ; and, had
all his men done like him, I cannot tell which side
would have got the better. In short, after the
two Captains had combated a long while, Don
Alonso's horse grew tired, and would not go for-
ward any more; which being perceived by the
good Knight, he said : " Yield, man of arms, car
thou diest !" " To whom," replied he, " miist I^
surrender ?" *^ To Captain Bayard," said the good
Knight. Thereat Don Alonso, who had already
heard speak of his valiant deeds, finding that he
could not escape, as he was inclosed on all sides,
yielded himself up, and gave the good Knight his
sword, which was received with gseat joy. Then
the band set out on their return to the garrison.

THE CHEVALIER BAY^ARD. 115

rejoicing in the good fortune which God had given
them that day. For they lost not a single man ;
though five or six were wounded, and two horses
killed; but they had prisoners to repay them.
Arrived at the garrison, Bayard, who was an
adopted son of Dame Courtesy, having learnt, on
the way, to what family Don Alonso belonged,
assigned to him one of the handsomest apartments
in the Castle, and gave him a habit of his olurn,
saying these words : " Senor Don Alonso, I am
informed by the other prisoners within here that
you belong to a 'good and great House, and, what
is better, that you are, in your own person, highly
renowned for prowess ; wherefore I am resolved
not to treat you as a captive ; give me but your
word that you will not quit this Castle without my
leave, and you shall have no other prison. It is
spacious ; you may take your pleasure here among
the rest of us, till you have settled about your
ransom, and discharged it, in regard to which you
will find me very lenient." " Captain," replied
Don Alonso, " I thank you for your courtesy,
assuring you on my honour that I will never de-
part hence without your permission." But he did
not keep his promise over well, which brought

116 MEMOIRS OF

him ill luck in the end^ as will be shewn hereafter.
Howbeit one day, as they were talking together,
Don Alonso agreed upon a thousand crowns for
his ransom.

THB CHEVALIER BAYARD. 117

CHAPTER XX.

H(yw Don Alonso de Sotomayor attempted to steal away by
means of an Albanian who fuYnished him, with a horse,
but was retaken vpon the road, and kept in stricter con-
Jinement,

A FORTNIGHT OF three weeks Don Alonso re-
mained with Captain Bayard, called the good
Knight, and his companions, passing his time
pleasantly, going and coming at the Castle, liii-
reproved by any ; seeing that he was on his word
of honour, which no one imagined he would ever
break. It fell out otherwise, though he had
nothing to complain of, as he afterwards owned,
but alleged in his defence, that, as none of his
people came to him, he was going to seek his
ransom of a thousand crowns himself, and send
it to the good Knight. The matter happened
thus: Don Alonso grew weary of his abode at the
Castle, and, talking one day with an Albanian, who
belonged to the garrison, he said ; " Come hither,
Theode, you may as well do me a good turn as
hot ; if yoii will, I pledge my word you shall Want

118 MEMOIRS OF

for nothing during my life. I am tired of being
here, and still. more of hearing no news of my
people. If you will provide a horse for me, seeing
that I am under no guard here, I will make my
escape to-morrow morning. It is but fifteen or
twenty miles hence to the garrison qf my men ; I
can go that distance iii four hours, and you shall
accompany me. I will settle a handsome salary
upon you, and give you fifty ducats." The Alba-
nian, who Was of a covetous temper, promised to
comply, but said to him beforehand : " Sir, I have
heard that you are upon your word of honour in
this Castle ; our Captain would quarrel with you
for it." " I will not break faith,'! said Don Alonso ;
" he hath agreed to take a thousand crowns foi
my ransom; I will send him them; I am not
bound to anything else." " Well then," said the
Albanian, " to-morrow, at break of day, I will not
fail to be on horseback, at the Castle gate ; when
it opens make a pretext of going out to pursue
your diversions, and you will find your man." This
was concerted between them, and executed next
day. They did as they had proposed, and Don
Alonso got on horseback, and rode away as fast
as he could ; the porter taking no heed to him ;
for, having been told that he was on his word of.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. Ill)

honour, he used to let him come and go as he
would. Not long after, the good Knight, ever
vigilant, went into the lower court of the Castle,
and inquired where his prisoner was, as he wont
* to play with him every morning; but po one
could give him any mformation on this head. He
was dismayed, and went to ask the porter if he
had seen him : who replied that he had, about
day-break, hard by the gate. The watchman
sounded to discover him ; but he was not to be
found, nor the Albanian either. Greatly con«
cerned was the good Knight at this.

He commanded one of his soldiers called Le
BiMque, saying : " Mount instantly,- you and nine
others, and ride fall speed straight towards Andri,
to see if you can find our prisoner, in which case
let him be brought back aUve or dead: and if
you can lay hold on that wicked Albanian "bring
him back also ; he shall be hung up on the battle-
ments of this place, as a warning to any who may
incline to play the same base trick in future.".

Le Basque made no tarrying ; but forthwith
mounted a horse, and, galloping away without
once looking to see who followed him, (though a
good number did so,) shaped his course towards
Andri ; and about two miles from that place found

120 M£MOIRS OF

Don Alonso adjusting his horse's girths which
were broken. Seeing himself pursued he thought
to remount, but could not. So he was caught,
made prisoner, and put on his horse again. The
Albanian wa^ not so mad as to let himself be
taken, well knowing that his life would be in
danger. Therefore he got away into Andri, and
Don Alonso was brought back to Monervino,
where, when the good Knight saw him, he said:
" Ha! How comes this, Senor Don Alonso?
After having promised me on your word of honour
not to quit this place without my leave, have you
done after this fashion?*' Don Alonso replied,
*' I thought not to do you any wrong ; you have
set my rahsom at a thousand crowns; within two
days I would have sent you that sum, and what
impelled me to go away was the trouble I was in
at hearing no tidings of my own people."

His excuses would not pass current with the
good Knight, who, still quite incensed, had him
led to a tower, and there kept for a fortnight^
without however putting him into irons, or doing
him any injury; on the contrary, with regard to
his eating and drinking, he was so well treated,
that he had every reason to be satisfied. At the
end of fifteen days a trumpeter came to desire a

THG CHEVALIER BAYARD. 121

safeconduct for one of his people^ who wanted
to bring the money of his ransom. It was granted^
and the money brought two days after : by which
means Don Alonso regained his liberty. He took
leave of Bayard and of all the company civilly
enough, and then returned to Andri. But, before
his departure, he saw the good Knight give away
the whole of his ransom money to his soldiers,
without retaining a single penny for himself.

122 ■ MExMOIRSOF*

CHAPTER XXI.

Him) Don Alonso de Sotomayor unjustly complained of the
treatment h€had received at the hands of the good Knight ^
which occasioned a duel between them.

When Don Alonso arrived at Andri he met
with a cordial reception from all his relations and
friends : for, in very deed, there was no man in
the whole Spanish army more highly considered
than he, nor any that had a greater love for arms.
They all consoled him in the best manner they
could, contending that it should not disturb him to
have been a prisoner ; that it was the condition
of war to lose one time and win another ; and that
it sufficed that God had restored him safe and
sound to his friends. After much discourse he
was questioned concerning the good Knight's
manner of Ufe, what kind of man he was, and
how he had been treated l3y him during his im-
prisonment. To which Don Alonso replied : " I
promise you on my honour, sirs, that, in regard to
the person of the Lord Bayard, I believe there is

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 123.

not a bolder Gentleman in the world, or a more
active ; for, when he goes not to war, he is con-
stantly doing something in the town where he
k stationed with his soldiers, always employed in
wrestling, leaping, throwing the bar, or other
becoming sports, which Gentlemen are wont to .
exercise themselves with. In liberality he hath no
equal, and that I have witnessed in divers in-
i^tances; specially, when he received the thou-
sand crowns of my ransom, he distributed them
among his soldiers in my presence, and kept not
a ducat to himself. In short, sooth to say, if he
live long he will attain to very great eminence.
But, as for his treatment of myself, concerning
which you question me, I cannot exceedingly com-
mend that ; whether it were by his orders or no
I am unable to say, but his people have not treated
me like a Gentleman, but, on the contrary, more
rudely' than they should, and it will stick with me
as long as I live."

Some were amazed at these words, considering
the good Knight's reputation for courtesy. Others
said none ever found a prison exceeding delight*
some. Others again blamed him. And this con-
versation proceeded so far, that a prisoner of the
garrison of Monervino, on his return thither,,

I24f MEMOIRS OF

brought an ample account to the good Knight
how Don Alonso complained outrageously of the
ill treatment he said he had received from him,
and threw out big words, of no honourable nature;
whereat he was quite astounded, and, immediately
caUing all his people to him, he said to them:
" Gentlemen, Don Alonso complains among the
Spaniards that I have treated him infamously*
You all know how the case was. It is my opinion
that no prisoner could have been better treated
than he was, before he sought to escape : neither
since, albeit he were more closely confined, was
aught done to him whereof he can reasonably
complain. And, on my honour, if I thought he
had suffered any wrong, I would make him amends.
Wherefore tell me, I pray, if you have descried
any thing which hath not come to my knowledge."
Whereto they all replied : " Captain, had he
been the greatest Prince in Spain, you could not
have treated him better, and it is a sin and a shame
for him to make any complaints on the subject."
•* Faith," said the good Knight, ** though I have
the quartan ague, I will write and tell him, that, if
he asserts I have treated him ill, I will prove the
contrary in combat between our two selves, on
foot or on horseback, whichever he pleases," He

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 1^25

sent instantly for a clerk, and dictated a letter to
this effect : " Seiior Alohso, I am informed that,
on your departure from my prison, you have com-
plained of me, and published it among your country
folk that I have not treated you Uke a Gentle-
man, You well know the contrary. But seeing
that, if it were true, it would be a great discredit
to me, I have thought fit to write this letter,
whereby I entreat you that you will readjust your
expressions in presence of those who heard them
at the first, confessing^ as is most fit, the good and
honourable treatment you have received at my
hands; by so doing, you will consult your ovn
honour, and redress mine, which you have unjustly
trampled upon. If you refuse to do this, I declare
that I am resolved to make you retract your words,
in mortal combat of your person with mine, on
foot or on horseback as it likes you best. And
so farewell. From Monervino, this tenth day of
July." A, trumpeter belonging to the valiant Lord
of la Palisse, named La Lune, conveyied this let-
ter to Don Alonso within the town 6f Andri;
when he had read it, without asking advice of any
one, he made reply by the same trumpeter, and
wrote a letter couched in the following terms:
" Lord of Bayard, I have seen your letter which

126 MEMOIRS OF

the bearer brought me^ and, among other things
therein contained^ this^ that I had let fall words,
in presence of my countrymen, importing that you
did not treat me like a Gentleman, while I was
your prisoner, and that if I will not make recan-
tation you are determined to fight with me. I
declare to you that I never unsay any thing I have
said, and that you are not the man to make me do
so. Therefore, in regard of the combat you offer
me atwixt us two, I accept it, between the present
time and twelve or fifteen days hence, two miles
from this town of Andri, or wlwrever else it shall
se^m good to yourself." La Lune brought this
answer to the good Knight, who would not have
exchanged it for ten thousand crowns, sick as he
was. He sent back word immediately that he ac-
cepted the combat, and had no objection to the
day named. The thing thus agreed upon and
adjusted, the good Knight directly made it known
to the Lord of la Palisse, who was a man of great
experience in these matters. And for his guidon,
after God, he took his old comrade Bellabre.
Now drew nigh the day of the combat, which
took place in the following manner.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. l^

CHAPTER XXII.

How the good Knight without fear and without reproach
fought Don Alonso de Sotomayor, and vanquished him.

When the day appointed for the duel arrived
the Lord of la Palisse, accompanied by two hun-
dred gendarms, (for so it had been settled between
the two combatanti^^) conducted his champion to
the field, mounted on a very good and handsome
courser, and clothed all in white, as a token of
humility. Don Alonso was not yet come ; so La
Lune went to hasten him, of whom he asked what
estate the lord Bayard was in. He replied that
he was on horseback, accoutred as a gendarm.
" How say you ?" said he, " it is my privilege to
choose th^ weapons, and his the field. Trumpet,
go tell him that I will fight on foot." Now what-
ever show of bravery Senor Alonso might put
on, he would have been right glad not to have
proceeded so far ; for he never imagined, seeing
the good Knight's malady, that he would venture
to combat on foot. But when he saw that things

1S8 MEMOIRS OF

must come to an issue, he chose that method of
fighting for two reasons ; one, that in the whole
world was not to be found a more adroit Gentle-
man on horseback than the good Knight; the
other, that the disorder he had upon him must
have materially weakened him, whereby he was in
great hopes of coming off conqueror, ha Lune
came to the good Knight, and said; '^ Captain,
here are news for you; your adviersary says that
he will fight oh foot, and that he hath a right to
choose the weapons :" which was certainly true ;
neyertheless it had been settled before that the
combat was to be on horseback, in armour of a
cavalry soldier : and this looked as if Don Alonso
wished to avoid the lists.

When the good Knight heard what the trum-
peter had to say, he remained awhile in thought : for
he had had his ague that very same day. Never-
theless, with the courage of a Uon, he replied :
^^ ha huncy my friend, go hasten him, and say
this shall not stand in the way of his redressing
my honour, with God's aid, to-day ; and if the
combat please him not on foot, I am ready to
fight just in whatever way he chooses." So
the good Knight immediately had the field pre-
pared, which was done merely by putting great

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 12&

stones side by side« He placed himself at one
end of it, attended by many good, bold,^ and
valiant Captains, as the Lords of la Palisse^ of
Orose^ of Humbercourt, of Fontrailles^ the Baron
of Beam, and divers others, who all besought our
hoTd to help their champion.

When La Lune returned to Don Alonso^ and
he found there was no alternative, but that, if he
tendered his honour, the combat must take place,
he came on very well attended, as by the Marquis
of Licite, by Don Diego QuiHone3,'Lieutenant to
the great Captain Gonsalvo, Don Pedro de Valdes,
Don Francisco de Aliemese, with many more,
who accompanied him to. the field. Arrived
there he sent weapons to the good Knight for him
to take his choice of, namely, a long rapier, and a
poniard. Both being armed with neck-piece and
jsteel cap, he did not waste much time in choosing;
but was put.within the field at one end by his
companion Bellabre : him he had taken for his
second, and the Lord of la PaUsse for the keeper
of the field on his side. Don Alonso came in at
the other end, where he was stationed by hb
second, Don Diego de Quinones ; and the keeper
of the field for him was Don Francisco de Alie-
mese. When both had entered, the good Knight

-.VOL. u K

130 MEMOIRS OF

threw himself on his knees, and breathed a prayer
to God : then he stretched himself out at his full
length, and kissed the earth. That done, he rose,
made the sign of the cross, and walked straight
toward his enemy, as securely as though he were
m a palace, dancing amid Ladies. Don Alonso
also appeared in no wise daunted, but, coming
steadily up to his antagonist, addressed him in these
words: " Senor de Bayardo, que me quieresf"^
Whereto he replied in his own language: " Je
veulx deffendre mon honneurJ^f And without
further speech they approach, and rush on each
other both at once, with a marvellous thrust of
the rapier, that of the good Knight grazing upon
Don Alonso's face. Brisk and vigorous were
they both, to a certainty, and not a single thrust
went for nothing. Never met on the field two
champions that had more the semblance of brave
men. They made many passes without hitting
each other; The good Knight, who instantly
perceived his adversary's intent, and covered his
&ce the moment he had thrust, so that he could
do him no injury, bethought him of a stratagem :

* " Lord of Bayard, what want you with me?"
t " I wish to defend my honour."

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 131

when Don Alonso raised his arm to make a pass,
the good Knight also raised his, but merely held
the rapier aloft in'the air, without doing any thing
more; and then with perfect confidence, when
that of his adversary was put by, and himself un-
covered, gave him such a furious blow in the throat,
that, notwithstanding the* goodness of his neck-
piece, the rapier penetrated four inches therein,
so that he could not draw it out again. Don
Alonso, feeling himself wounded to death, dropped
his rapier, seized upon the body of the good
Knight, who likewise took hold of him in guise
of one wrestling, and they puUed each other
about till Koth fell upon the ground together.
The good Knight, alert and swift, takes his poniard
and puts it into the nostrils of his enemy, saying :
" Yield, Don Alonso, or you die !" But he could
make no answer, having just expired. Then said
his second, Don Diego de Quinones : " Sehor
Bayardo, ja es muerto, vencido aveis!^^ Which
iiU quickly perceived to be true; for he never
stirred hand or foot again. Right sorry was the
good Knight, who would have given an hundred

* " Lord of Bayard, he is dead already, you have con-
quered."

132 MEMOIRS OF

thousand crowns, had he possessed them, to have
conquered him alive. Howbeit, sensible of God's
grace vouchsafed to him, he knelt down, and re-
turned Him humble thanks; then kissed the earth
three times, and after that dragged his enemy off
the field, saying to his second : " SeEor Don
Diego, have I done enough?" Who replied
mournfully: " Troppo, Sehor BayardOi por Von&r
cPEspana''* " You know," said the good
Knight, " that I have a right to do what I please
with the body ; however, I restore it to you; and,
of a truth, I wduld it had fallen out otherwise,
could that have been without detriment to my
honour."

Briefly, the Spaniards carried off their cham-
pion amid piteous lamentations, and the French
led away theirs, with sound of trumpets and cla-
rions, to the garrison of the worthy Lord of la Pa-
lisse, where, before he did any thing else, the
good Knight returned thanks to Grod in the
church. Afterwards, they made the greatest
rejoicings possible. The Frrach Gentlemen
could none of them be satisfied with applauding
the good Knight: insomuch that, throughout

» «

Too much, Lord Bayard, for tlie honour of Spain."

THE CHEVALIEA BAYARD. 133'

the Kingdom, not only among the French, hut
also among the Spaniards, he was esteemed one
of the most accompUshed Gentlemen that was any
where to he found.

134 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXIIL

Of a cmrthat 'which took place in the Kingdom of Naples,
between thirteen Spaniards and as many Frenchmen,
wherein the good Knight distinguished himself by deeds
of surpassing valour.

It hath just been related how the good Knight
overcame Don Alonso de Sotomayor, which sorely
grieved the hearts of the Spaniards^ and they
were constantly seeking a way to revenge them-
selves. A few days after Don Alonso's death a
truce of two months was agreed upon between them
and the French, for what reason I know not: how-
beit during this truce the Spaniards went to take
their diversion near the enemies' garrisons, and
sometimes, without the forts, fell in with French-
men come thither likewise for the sake of sport ;
on which occasions they often had words together:
for the Spaniards were ever given to quarrelling.
One day a band of thirteen Spanish Gentlemen^
gendarms, all well mounted, went to amuse them-
selves near the garrison of the good Knight,
whither the Lord of Orose, of the House of Urfe,

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 135

a very worthy Captain^ was come to visit him.
They two having sallied forth to take the air half
a league from the town met and saluted the said
Spaniards^ who did tHe like to them. They
entered into conversation on many subjects, and,
among other speeches, a bold courageous Spaniard,
named Diego de Bisaigne, who had belonged to
the compi^ny of the late Don Alonso de Sotoma-
yor^ and had not yet forgotten his death, made
the following : " Gentlemen of France, I know
not whether this truce, begun a week since, dis-
please you or no ; but it annoys us terribly. If,
while it continues, a band of you, ten, twenty,
more or less, were willing to fight upon our mas-
ters' quarrel, I would undertake to find the same
number to engage you on our side, and those who
are beaten shall remain prisoners of the adverse
party." Hereon the Lord of Orose and the good
Knight looked at each other, and the latter said :
** My Lord of Orose, what think you of these
words?" "Nothing," said he, "but that the
Gentleman speaks very discreetly. I know well
what reply I would make, but I entreat you to
answer according to your own opinion." " Since
you wish it," said the ^ood Knight, " I will tell him
what I think of the matter. Sir, my companion

136 MEMOIRS OF

and t ftpt^tehend your meaning perfectly welL It
^ppearis that you are vastly desirous of a combat^
equal numbers engaged against each other. You
ate here thirteeii horse. If you will repair, eight
days hence, two miles from this place, mounted
and armed, my companion and I will bring thir*
teen to meet you, and he who hath a brave
heart, let him show it." Then all the Spaniards
replied in their own tongue, " We are wiDing."
They went their way, and the Lord of Orose with
the good Knight returned to Monervino. They
assembled their companions, and, on the appointed
day, sought the place agreed on with the Spaniards^
who repaired thither likewise. There were many
others of both nations, who came to look on.
They limited their ground, with a stipulation that
whosoever passed beyond the boundary was to
remain a prisoner, and not fight any more that
day* Likewise he that should be unhorsed was
to combat no longer. And, in case one party were
not able to conquer the other by night-fall, though
but one of their adversaries remained on horse-
back, the combat was to be at an end, and that
one should be allowed to carry oiF all his com^
panions free and clear, who were to leave the field
in equal honour with their antagonists* To come

fHE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 187

to the point, the French ranged themselves on one
side, and the Spaniards on the other. All couched
their lances, an4 spurred their steeds. But the
Spaniards endeavoured rather to kill horses than
men, which they did to the number of eleven, and
only the Lord of Orose and the good Knight
remained on horsebsttk. But this cunning availed
not the Spaniards ; for by that time their horses
would not move another step, spur them as they
might. The Lord of Orose and the good Knight
made frequent and sharp assaults upon them, and,
when the whole troop would have charged them,
they retired behind the dead horses of their com-
panions, which served them for a rampart. To
conclude, the Spaniards were well beaten ; >nd,
although they were thirteen horse against two,
could not win the field, so that night arrived
before they had gained any thing. Wherefore
each party was at Uberty to go forth, accc^ding
as they had agreed together : and the honour of
the day remained to the French ; two of them
having battled during four hours against thirteen
without being overcome. The good Knight, above
all, conducted himself with surpassing gallantry,
msomuch that his glory and renown received great
augmentation.

1S8 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXIV.

How the good Knight took a treasurer and his man, who
were carrying fifteen thousand ducats to the great
CJapiain Gonsalvo Hernandez, and what he did with them.

About a month after this combat^ when the
perio4 of the truce was expired, the good
Knight received intimation from his spies, that
a treasurer at Naples, who supplied money, was
about to carry some to Gonsalvo of Cordova, and
that he could scarce avoid passing within three
or four miles of his garrison. He nerer lay down
to sleep, after he had heard it, without appointing
strict watch to be kept, until his people came and
told him that the aforesaid treasurer was arrived
in a place held by the Spaniards, which was only
fifteen miles from Monervino, and that in the
morning he purposed retiring to the great Captain,
accompanied by some genetaires* for his security.
The good Knight, who had a great desire to get
this money into his hands, not for himself, but to
distribute among his soldiers, rose two hours

* Cavalry armed in a particular manner.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 139

before day-break, and placed himself in ambush
between two little hills, accompanied by no more
than twenty horse. In another direction he sent
his companion Tardieu, with five-and-twenty
Albanians, in order that, if he escaped by one side,
he might not be able to do so by the other. The
matter happened on this wise. At about seven
in the morping the good Knight's scouts heard a
noise of horses, and informed him of the circum-
stance. He was so well concealed between two
rocks that it was easy to pass by without per-
ceiving him, as did the Spaniards, with the trea-
surer and his man in the midst 'of them, carrying
the money in a great pouch behind their horses.
When they had got just beyond the spot, the
good Knight and his people set upon them, with-
out further delay, crying "J^rowce/ France! kill/
kill/" When the Spaniards found themselves thus
attacked and taken in disorder, supposing the
niunber of people to be much greater thap it really
was, they began to fly in the direction of Barletta.
They were pursued a Uttle way, but not far, the
object of the enterprise being the poor treasurer,
who was taken with his man, and conducted to
Monervino; where their bags were produced, and
goodly ducats found therein. Bayard would have

140 MEMOIRS OF

counted then^ but the treasurer said to him in his
own Spanish tongue : *^Non contaeis, Senor, sono
quinze mil ducados"^ : a booty with which he
was highly delighted. In the meanwhile Tardieu
arrives, and, when he sees this fine sight of money,
is very ill pleased that he hath not taken the
prize. However says he to the good Knight r
" Comrade, I go shares with you, for I have been
of the undertaking" " True," rejoined the good
Knight with a smile ; " but you have not been of
the taking:" then, in order to make him lower'
his tone, he added, " and even supposing you had,
you are under my command ; I will give you what
I please." Thereat the said Tardieu grew very
angry, and, swearing by the name of God, vowed
he would have justice done him. So he went and
complained to the King of France his Lieutenant
General, who sent for the good Knight, and was
waited on by him forthwith. Bayard being arrived,
each told his own story : after which the Lieu-
tenant General took the opinions of all the Cap-
tains, and in the end declared that, from all he
could gather, Tardieu had no right to any of the
booty. He was greatly mortified at this, but, being

* Don't count, Sir, there are fifteen thousand ducsits.

THE CHEVAL-IEIl BAYARD. * 141

a ligbt-hearted and a very facetious man, he ^ried;
" By the blood of St. George, I am vastly un»
lucky." Then he addressed the good Knight,
saying : " By God, it is all one, for you will have
to maintain me as long as we tarry in this land."
The other began to laugh, and this did not hinder
their returning together to Monervino, where,
when they were arrived, the goo4 Knight caused
the ducats to be brought out and displayed on
the ta.ble before Tardieu, in order to humble him,
saying : *' Companion, what do you think, are not
these pretty things ?" " Yes," replied he,- " but
I have no part in them. Had I but the half of
that sum I should never want for any thing, and
be a rich man all my life." " How, comrade,"
said the good Knight, " would you come short of
nothing but the certainty of your own life in this
world ? Truly, what you have proved unable to
wrest from me by force I give you with right good
will, and you shall have a full half of the money."
So he had seven thousand five hundred ducats
immediately counted, and delivered them to him.
Tardieu, who thought at first this was but a jest,
when he saw himself in possession of the money,
fell upon both knees, with tears of joy in his eyes,
and said: "Alas! my master and my friend.

142 MEMOIRS OF

what return can I ever make for the benefit you
confer on me ?" " Hold your peace, compa-'
nion/' said the good Knight : if I had it in my
power I would do much better for you." In fact
Tardieu by means of this money was a wealthy
man all his days ; for on his return from Naples
to France he was enabled, through it, to marry
an heiress, daughter of a Lord of St. Martin, who
had three thousand pounds a year. I must now
relate what became of the other seven thousand
five hundred ducats. The fearless and irreproach-
able Knight, with heart as pure as a pearl, called
all his garrison together, and shared them out to
each according to his quality, wit.hout keeping a
single penny for himself. Then he said to the
treasurer, " My friend^ I know well enough that,
if I chose, I might have a good ransom for you :
but I am content with what I have got. When
you and your man wish to depart I will have you
guided safely into whichsoever of your country-
men's towns you prefer ; and nothing more shall
be taken from you, neither shall you be searched."
For he still had about him, in rings and money,
to the value of five hundred ducats or more.
The poor treasurer therefore heard this with great
satisfaction, and was, by a trumpeter of the good

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 143

Knight's, to whom he gave three crowns, con-
ducted with his man as far as Barletta; very for-
tunate, considering the accident he had met with,
in having fallen into such good hands.

144; MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXV.

Haw the good KniglU defended a bridge on the "river Ga-'
rigliano by himself y for some time^ against two hundred
Spaniards, I

The reader may have seen in other histories,
how, toward the end of the war carried on be-
tween the French and Spaniards in the Kingdom
of Naples, the army of the former kept their
station a long time beside the river Garigliano,
and that of the latter on the opposite bank. It
must be understood, that, if there were good and
valiant Captains among the French, such were
likewise to be found on the side of the Spaniards;
amid others, the great Captain Gonsalvo of Cor-
doba, a wise and vigilant man, with another named
Pedro de Paes, who was not three feet high, but
as brave a creature as yoii* could any where find.
He was so little and so hunch-backed that when
he rode you could see nothing but his head above
the saddle. One day the said Pedro de Paes
took it into his head that he would give an alarm

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 145

to the French, and, with an hundred or an hun-
dred and twenty horse, he set about crossing the
Garigliano in a certain place, where he was ac-
quainted with the ford, and had placed behind
each horse a footsoldier furnished with an arque-
buse. He gave this alarm in order that the army
might run thither, abandoning the bridge, while
the Spanish force was arriving; and this he carried
into effect. He executed his enterprise very well,
and raided a sudden and violent alarm in the
camp of the French, whither they all retired,
thinking the Spaniards were about to make no
further effort ; but they were deceived.

The good Knight, always anxious to be near
the scene of action, had stationed himself hard by
the bridge, with a bold Gentleman, one Pierre de
Tardes, sumamed Le Basque^ Equerry to King
Lewis XII. These two began to arm when they
heard the noise, (whether or no they were soon
equipped and mounted need is not to inquire,) in-
tent on flying to the spot where the fray was taking
place. But when the good Knight looks on the
other side of the river, he spies about two hundred
Spanish horse, coming straight toward the bridge
to get possession of it ; which they would h^-ve
done without finding much resistance, and thereby

VOL. I. L

146 MEMOIRS OF

caused the total destruction of the French army.
So he said to his companion : " Master Equerry,
my friend, go quickly and seek some of our men
to guard this bridge, or we are all ruined ; I will
endeavour to hold the enemy in play till you
come back : but make haste." He obeyed ; and
the good Knight, grasping his spear, goes to the
end of the bridge, which the Spaniards on the
other side were already preparing to pass; but
be. put his lance in the rest, and, like a furious
lion, charged the troop, who were now in the very
act of crossing. So that three or four were stag-
gered ; whereof two fell into the water, and never
rose more, the stream being large and deep. That
done, much work was cut out for him, he being
so fiercely assaulted, that without exceeding good
horsemanship he could not have resisted. But,
like a chafed tiger, he threw himself against tha
rail of the bridge, that the enemy might not get
behind him, and defended himself so well with
the sword, that the Spaniards were confounded,
and' thought he must be a fiend, not a man. In
short, he held out so well and so long, that he
gave not up till the Equerry Le Basque brought
him a considerable reinforcement, namely one hun-
dred gendarms ; who, on their arrival, forced the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 147

Spaniards to abandon the bridge entirely, and
pursued them a mile beyond. They would have
done more, when they perceived a great troop,
consisting of seven or eight hundred horse, com-
ing to succour their foes; whereon the good
Knight said to his companions : '* Gentlemen, we
have done enough to-day in having saved our
bridge ; let us retire, keeping as close together as
we can.*'

His advice was held good ; so they began to
retreat in a leisurely manner. Bayard was ever
the last, and sustained all the charge, or most
part of it, whereby in the long run he found
himself hard pressed, on account of his horse^
which was sp weary that it could hardly support
itself, he having fought upon it the whole day.
Then the enemies made another great onset,
falling all together, like a torrent, upon the French,
in such sort that some of them were overthrown.
The good Knight's horse was driven back upon
a ditch, and there he was surrounded by twenty
or thirty, who called out: " Rende, rende^
Senor,'* He still fought on, and knew not what
to say but : " Sirs, I must surrender, for I cannot
withstand your whole might alone."

* " Surrender, surrender, Sir."

148 MEMOIRS OF

His companions were now a good way off, and
continued to retire straight toward their bridge,
believing the good Knight to be still in the midst
of them. When they were at some distance, one
among them, named the Chevalier Guiffray, a
Gentleman of Dauphiny> and a neighbour of
Bayard's, began saying: "Ah! Gentlemen, we
have lost every thing ! the good Captain Bayard
is either dead or taken, for he is not with us. Shall
we never learn aught more concerning him? This
very day how well hath he conducted us, and how
much honour hath he caused us to acquire ! I vow
to God, that though I go alone, I will return, and
gain tidings of him, at the risk of being killed or
taken." I cannot tell which of the troop was
most afflicted, when they found what Guiffray
said to be true. Every one got down to re-adjust
his horse's girth, then remounted, and, with in-
vincible courage, set off at a great gallop after
the Spaniards, who were carrying away the flower
and perfection of all gentility, purely through
the fault of his horse; had the animal been able
to endure as much as himself, he would never
have been taken. It must be understood, that,-
whilst the Spaniards were retiring, carrying off
with them the good Knight, they scorned, by

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 149

reason of their numbers, to strip him of his arms, or
take away the sword suspended from his side;
though they dispossessed him of a battle-axe
which he held in his hand. As they proceeded
they asked him continually who he was ; but, well
knowing that, if he told his real name, he should
never escape alive out of their hands, (because
ihe Spaniards dreacled him more than any other
individual of the French nation,) he substituted
another, telling them, however, that he was d
Gentleman. Meantime, the French, his compa-
nions, arrive, shouting, "France! France! turn,
Spaniards, turn ! you shall not thus carry off the
flower of Knighthood ;" at which cry, the Spaniards,
though numerous, were quite astounded. Never-
theless, they received this heavy shock of the
French with a good face, but, for all that, several
even of the best mounted among them were thrown
upon the ground. Which being seen of the good
Knight, who was still completely armed, and

* ^

wanted nothing but a horse, his own being
quite spent, he set foot upon the ground, and,
without putting it into the stirrup, mounted a
gallant courser, from which the Equerry Le
Basque had tumbled down Salvador de Borgia,
Lieutenant of the company of the Marquis de la

150 MEMOIRS OF

Padule, a gaUant Gentleman. Seated thereon^
lie began to perform most surprising feats, crying:
•'France! France! Bayard! Bayard! whom you
have let go.** The Spaniards, when they heard
that name, and became sensible of their inadver-
tence in leaving him his arms, after they had taken
him, without exacting from him any promise,
(for, had he once pledged his word, he would
never have gone from it,) lost all heart, and said
among themselves : *^ Let us away to our camp ; we
shall perform no worthy achievement this day ;'* and
they put their horses into a gallop. The French,
seeing night approach, overjoyed at having reco-
vered their very standard of honour, returned in
high glee to their camp, where, for a full week,
they never ceased talking of their fine adventure,
ki particular of the prowess of the good Knight.

This same ye^u*, King Lewis XII. sent a good
number of men into the county of Roussillon,
vnder the conduct of the Lord of Dunois, to
reduce it to his authority. But they returned
without performing any thing great or honourable.
In this expedition died, on the side of the French,
a noble Knight named the Lord de la Rochepot.

After that, with whom the blame lay I know
not, the French tarried but a short; space in th^

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 151

Kingdom of Naples^ returning to their own coun-
try, most of them in poor estate. As they passed
by Rome» Pope Julius shewed them a multitude of
civilities ; for which, however, he made them pay
dearly afterward. The valiant Captain Louys
d'Ars, who still held some places in Puglia, and
in his company the good Knight without fear and
without reproach, remained about a year after the
return of the French army in the said Kingdom,
spite of the whole power of the Spaniards. During
this time, they performed many bold sallies and
smart skirmishes, whereof they generally carried
away the honour. And they would have held
these places still longer, had not King Lewis, their
master, commanded that they should leave them
and repair to him ; which they did with regret in
the year 1504. They met with a very honourable
reception from every one, as they 'well deserved;
especially ftt)m their good master the King of
France, who, being discreet and wise, took the
fortunes of war as it pleased God, his chief r^ftige,
to send them.

I will quit these subjects for a little while, and
relate what happened in France and the neigh-
bouring countries during the space of two years.

15^ MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXVI.

Of divers events which took place in the course of two years,

in France, Spam, and Italy.

After all these occurrences^ some cessation from
war ensued between the French and Spaniards,
not very opportunely for the former, since their
enemies had what they wanted, and they not.

In the year 1505 died Joan of France, Duchess
of Berry, once the wife of Lewis XII., who, that
same year, fell into so grievous a sickness at his
town of Blois that his Ufe was despaired of, and
himself abandoned by his physicians, and by all

human aid. But I believe that, at the entreaty of
his people> and by reason pf their prayers, (he being
greatly beloved, because he had never tyrannised
over them and oppressed them with taxes,) our
Lord prolonged his days.

In the same year, at Plessis les Tours, died
Frederic of Arragon, formerly King of Naples,
the last descendant of Peter of Arragon, who,
without right or reason, usurped that realm : and

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 153

they who have since held it, ^nd hold it yet, do
so by no other title.

In the year 1506 one of the most triumphant
and glorious Ladies which the earth hath seen for
these thousand, years departed this life. I speak
of Queen Isabella of Castile, who helped to con-
quer Granada from the Moors by force of arms.
She took the children of the King who then occu-
pied the throne prisoners, and caused them to be
baptized. Her life was such that' she richly de-
serves a crown of laurel after death, as I can
assure the readers of the present history.

That same year died her son-in-law, who by
her death became her heir, Philip of Spain, in
his wife's right Archduke of Austria and Count
of Flanders.

Pope Julius, by the aid of the King of France,
through his Lieutenant General at the Dutchy of
Milan, Charles d'Amboise, Lord of Chaumont, a
brave and diligent man, conquered Bologna from
Messer Giovanni di Bentivoglio ; and, by way of
recompense and payment, he granted a precious
set of indulgences m France. I know not who
gave this counsel, but the French were never
after exceeding secure in Italy; for, besides
that the Pope loved not the French in his heart.

154 MEMOIRS OF

be fortified himself on this side the Alps against
the King's territories in Lombardy. I allude to
what followed in the sequel : many at the time
found tbeir account in it; for some Captains who
governed this Lord of Chaumont got presents of
money by it^ and some ecclesiastics benefices. In
shorty it is a base humour that gratifies avarice at
the expense of honour, and one that hath ever
prevailed more in France than any where else.
Though it be the most excellent country in Eu-
rope, yet all good lands bear not good fruit, how-
ever that come to pass. I agree with him who
writ the Romaunt of the Rose, Jean de Meun,
that good gifts exalt the donors^ but degrade the
receivers.

The King of Arragon, a widower by the death
of Queen Isabella, took to wife, that same year,
Germaine de Foix, the King of France his niece,
who was conducted in great triumpb to Spain.
There came to fetch her the Coimt of Cifuentes,
and a Dominican Bishop. A precious requital
hath she made the French for tbe honours they
paid her, from the time she set foot in Spain ;
all who have been since acquainted with her
declare they never met with one less friendly to
our nation.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 155

CHAPTER XXVII.

H<yw the Genoese revolted^ and how the King of France
passed the mountains, and reduced them to obedience,

\ DO not mean to deny that every true Christian
should be subject and obedient to the church,
but at the same time I must be allowed to say
that all her mimsters are not good men : where-
of I might allege ample proof in the conduct of
Pope Julius, who, as a recompense for the good
offices done him by King Lewis in putting him,
by what title I know not, in possession of Bologna,
invited the Genoese, in order to drive the French
out of Italy, with subtle and sinister devices, to
revolt, and conspire against the nobles, all of whom
they forced to abandon the town. They chose
for their leader, out of their own body, a mechanic,
by trade a dyer, named Pagolo di Nove.

A Genoese Gentleman, named Gian Luigi .dal
Fiesco, who was strongly attached to the French,
the Governor of the Uttle Castle^ and many others,
sent information of their proceedings to the King

156 MEMOIRS OF

of France ; and as this wise prince^ who had much
experience in such affairs, perceived that^ if not
speedily put a stop to, they might breed great
disorders, he resolved to pass the mountains, with
a vast and mighty force. This he put into effect
with all diligence; which the affair demanded.
The good Knight was then at Lyons, sick of his
quartan ague, which held him for seven years or
more. He had met with a sad accident in one
arm from a blow of a pike which he had formerly
received, and which had been so ill looked after,
that it produced an ulcer, not yet completely
healed.

On his return from the Kingdom of Naples the
King his master had detained him as one of his
eque;rries, till there should be some company of
gendarms vacant to provide him with. He thought
in his own mind, that, although he were not cured,
it would be accounted great baseness in him to do
other than follow his Prince; and, regarding no
inconvenience, he resolved to march with him.
In two or three days he arranged all his matters,
and set about crossing the mountains like the rest.
The army travelled with such speed that they soon
reached the city of Genoa, the inhabitants whereof
were much dismayed; for they had hoped in a

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 157

few days to receive great succours from the Pope,
' and from Romagna, particularly seven or eight
thousand of them called Bresignels, who are the
best footsoldiers in Italy, and very bold in war.
Nevertheless they did their utmost, and, at the
top of the mountain, by which the French had to
pass, they constructed a wonderful strong little
fortress,' furnished with good soldiers, and with
artillery, which struck consternation into the whole
army: whereon the King assembled all the Cap-
tains that they might consult together what was
to be done. There were many different opinions.
Some said the army might thereby incur great
danger, that there might be a consiiicrable force
at the top of the hill which they did not then se^
but which might repulse them, if they went thither
without sufficient strength, and cause them dis-
grace. Others said they were but a rabble, and
would offer little resistance. The King looked
at the good Knight, addressing hun with,
*' Bayard, what think you of the matter?" " On
my honour, Sire," replied he, " I know not what to
say yet ; I must go see what they are doing up
there. And for my part, if it please you to give
me .leave, before an hour be over, unless I
be killed or taken, you shall receive information

158 MEMOIRS OF

thereof.*' " I pray you do so," said the King;
" for you understand tliese matters." The good
Knight delayed not long, but, with divers of his
friends and companions, as the Vicomte de
Rhodez, the Captain Maugeron, the Lord of
Beaudis^ner, the Bastard de Luppe, and many
more, to the number of an hundred or an hundred
and twenty, among whom were two noble Lords
of the House of Foix, the Lords of Barbasan
and of TEsparre, sons of Viscount Lautrec, caused
an alarm to be sounded. His comrades being all
assembled, he was the* very first to begin climbing
the mountain. When they saw him on before
many followed, and they toiled hard ere they
attained the summit, where they took breath a
little, then marched to the fortress, encountering
great resistance by the road, and a sharp conflict
ensued : however at last the Genoese turned their
backs, and the French would have pursued them,
but the good Knight called out : " No, Sirs, let
us go straight to the little fort. It is possible
there may still be men within it, who might
inclose us. We must find this out.** Every one
approved of this advice, and all proceeded thither.
The case was as he had told them, there being
still two or three hundred men within, who at the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 159

first set about defending themselves very sturdily t
but at length they abapdoned the fort^ flying like
lightning to the bottom of the mountain, in order
to gain their town.

Thus the fort was taken, and after that the
Genoese achieved no worthy action, but yield-
ed themselves up to the King^s mercy, who
entered the city, and made the inhabitants defray
the charges of his army. Moreover he had a
strong Castle, named Codifa, constructed near the
city at their expense. Their General was be-
headed, with another called Giustiniano : so that
they were sufRciendy punished for one season.

A little while after, the Kings of France and
Arragon, the latter on his return from Naples to
Spain, met in the town of Savona : Germaine de
Foix, Ferdinand's wife, was there, and conducted
herself with strange audacity. She made small
account of any of the French^ even of her own
brother, the noble Duke of Nemours, who will be
mentioned hereafter in this history. The King
of France entertained the great Captain Gonsalvo
Hernandez very honourably; and the King of
Arragon treated with high consideration Captain
Louys d'Ars, and the good Knight without fear
and without reproach, sapng these words to King

160 MEMOIRS OF

Lewis : " My royal brother, happy is the Prince
who maintains two such Knights.'* The Mo-
narchs, after passing some days together^ sepa-
rated, one going into Spain, the other returning
to his Dutchy of Milan.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 161

CHAPTER XXVIII.

How the Emperor Maximilian made war on the VenetianSj
to whose aid the King of France sent Marshal Jean
Jacques de Trivulce accompanied by a great force.

After the taking of Genoa, and the interview
between the two Kings at Savona, Lewis repaired
to his town of Milan, where the Lord Jean Jacques
de Trivulce gave him one of the grandest feasts
thatever was beheld in the houseofaprivate Noble--
man : for from all one can learn there were present
at it more than five hundred guests, not including
Ladies, of whom there were an hundred or an
hundred and twenty, and it was impossible to be
better entertained than they were with dishes of
the first and of the second course, with farces,
plays, and other pastimes.

Then the King returned to France, where, the
year following, he was informed by the Venetians,
his allies, that the Emperor Maximilian purposed
coming to make war upon them in their own
country. On this account, they sent an Ambassador
of theirs, named Antonio Gondelmare, to implore

VOL. I. M

16S MEMOIRS OF

his aid; which he willingly granted, and com-
manded the Lord Jean Jacques de Trivulce to
go thither with six himdred horse, and six thou-
sand foot. He obeyed, and s^t out to join the
Venetian forces, at a place called La. Pietra,
whither the Emperor*s army was already arrived,
and would have gone further, had it not been for
the coming of ^Trivulce, which stopped his pro-
gress : and after that the Emperor's army did no
great things. The Venetians, who are subtle
and cautious, thought it better to enter, into a
compositk>n, than to go oa with the war. There-^
fore they <^ast about to effect this, and at last
succeeded. I believe they produced some money,
for that was the one thing in this world which
the Emperor stood most in need of. Accordingly
he made his army retire ; the Lord Jean Jacques,
who had not been in any way admitted to a share
in this composition, remainmg very Ul satis-
fied. He told the Proveditore of the Republic
that he should inform the King his master of it,
who, in his opinion, would deem it a very strange
thing, and be little pleased thereat. This matter
continued a while in suspense ; mean time Lewis
the Twelfth of France, with his good consort the
Queen, went to make his entry into Rouen, and

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. .' 163

a Tery glorious one it was. If the Gentlemen of
the town did their duty that day, the very chil-
dren did no less. There were jousts and touma;-
ments held for the space of eight days. However
a league was proposed between the Pope, the Em*
peror, . and the Kings of France and Spain ; to
conclude which, it was settled by them or their
Ambassadors, that they should meet at the town
df Cambray, on a certain day appointed by them;
thither was seiit, on the part of King Lewis, the
Cardinal d'Ambofse, Legate of France, his
nephew, Grand Master of that realm. Lord of
Chaumont, and head of the House of Amboise,
with many more ; and, on the part of the other
Princes, Ambassadors with full powers. What-
ever conclusion they came to, nothing is more
certain than that their view was to ruin the Seig-
niory of Venice, which then flourished in great
pomp, glory, and opulence, but with little know-
ledge of God, lightly regarding the other
Princes of Christendom: whereat perchance our
Lord was ofifended, as it appeared. For before
these Plenipotentiaries removed from Cambray
they made an alliance for their masters, agreeing
to be friends of each other's friends, and enemies
of each other's enemies. And then it was settled,

164 ♦ MEMOIRS OF

that after Easter, m the following year 1509, the
King of France in person should pass over into,
Italy, and enter the Venetian territories forty days
before any of the rest took the field. I know not
with what view they assigned this term, unless, it
were to feel their way beforehand : and, perad-
venture, if the King of France had had the worst
of it they would have fallen upon him instead of
upon the Venetians. To say the truth, it is my
behef they wanted to make the French try their
fortune first, and to play the children's game,
" If it is good lidke it, if it is bad I leave it^
However this good King Lewis sped so well that
hei executed his enterprise to his own great
honour, and the advantage of his allies, as shall;
be set forth presently.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ' 165

CHAPTER XXIX.

Hffw King Lewis the Twelfth of France made his army
march into Italy against the Venetians^ and of the
victory which he gained ffoer them.

At the end of the year 1508^ about the month
of March, the King sent his cavahy into the
Dutchy of Milan, together with his French adven-
turers, who were fourteen or fifteen thousand in
number. The command and conduct of them he
intrusted to good and valiant Captains, to wit, the
Lords of Molart, of Richemont, of la Crote, the
Count of Roussillon, the Lord of Vendenesse, the
Captain Odet, the Cadet of Duras, and many
others, of whom each in his own district'endea-r
voured to procure the most worthy associates.
The good Knight without fear and without re-
proach was sent for at this time by the King,
who said to him : *^ Bayard, you know that I am
going to cross the Alps, for the sake of chastising
the Venetians, who unjustly withhold from me
the county of Cremona, Ghiaradadda, and other
lands. In this enterprise, though for the present

166 MEMOIRS OF

I give you the company of Captain Chatelart,
(who, I grieve to hear, is dead,) I wish you to
have the charge of infantry: your Lieutenant^
Captain Pierrepont, who is a very vorthy person,
shall lead your gendarms/' " Sire," replied the
good Knight, ** I will do as you please. But
what numher of foot will you give me to conduct?"
^' A thousand," said the King ; ** no man hath
more." « Sire," replied the good Knight^ *' they
are too many for my abilities; I beseech yoii
suffer me to have but five )iui)dred. I swear to
you on my bcHiour, Sire, I uriU take c^e tp choose
such as shall do you service. Methinks even this
is a heavy cbarge for one that would do his duty."
•* Very well," said the I^ing. " Go quickly to
Paupbiny, and be in niy Putchy of MH^ by tbe
end of March." Of all the Captains th^re was
none who did not well fiirnisb his band ; and they
80 contrived that^ by tbe 6nd of March, or *he
beginning of April, they Were all transported into
Italy» and lodged by garrisons in tiie Dutchy of
MUan.

The Venetians, against whom i^sx had, by this
time, been denounced by ^e Herald Montjoye»
prepared to defend themselves^ and, being aC-^
quainted with the forces of the King oi FraUQe^

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 167

which were not very num^ous, (for he had in all
but thirty tibousand men^ whereof twenty thoi^sand
might be infantry/ including six tibousand Swiss^
together with two thousand gendarms^) mustered
a gallant army^ consisting of above two thousand
horse, and fujl thirty thousand foot. Theif
Commander in chief was the Count of Pitigliano,
and the Captain Gen^^l of their foot Bartolomeo
d'Alviano> who, among his other men, had a fine
band of those Bresignels, clad in his livery of red
a^d white, all of good &mily, and bred up to arms.
I will not nudLe a long recital of tlin^ movements
to and fro; but, to speak briefly, the King of
France havii^ crossed the Alps, and arrived in
his town of Milan, learnt that the Venetians had
retaken Trev), a little town on the river Adda,
which had been won from them a few days
before by the Grand Master, Lord of Chaumont,
and Captains Molart, la Crete, Richemont, and
the good Knight, they having repaired thither the
first with their men. To this town of Trevi the
Venetians had set fire, on account of its having
tinned to the French, and had led away prisoners
all the horse commanded by Captain Fontrailles.
A like fate attended Captain de la Porte, the Lord
of Eatan^on, lupid two other Captains of in&ntry,

168 MEMOIRS OF

the Chevalier Blanc^ and Captaui Ymbauh* These
tidings being received by the King he marched
straight to Casciano, where he had two bridges of
boats constructed immediately on the river Adda;
by one the horse passed over, and by the other
the foot ; himself, armed at all points, keeping
order the while. His whole force having crossed, on
the morrow a little town called Rivolta was taken
and sacked; and two days after both armies met
in a village of the name of Agnadello, on quitting
another called Pandino : and, although the Cap^
tains Pitigliano and D'Alviano had express orders
from the Republic not to give the King battle,
but only to gain time by defending towns and
Castles, so as to harass the enemy and wear them
out by long delay, D'Alviano, more bold than
prudent, would risk an engagement; thinking
within himself, like a presumptuous person, that^
whether he lost or won, he could never obtain a
greater honour than that of having fought a King
of France. Desirous therefore to try his fortune,
he proceeded straight to battle, wherein the assault
was sharp and the tumult deadly. For, to say
the truth, the forces of the Republic approved
themselves very well at first. During this battle,
the Lord Bartolomeo d'Alviano, going to recon-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 169

noitre the rear of the French army, in the midst
whereof came the good Knight, marching with
extreme eagerness, lyid wading up to bis middle
through ditches of water, was by them attacked
on one side, in such sort that he and his troop
were greatly dismayed. After that they made
not much further effort, but were broken and
entirely defeated. The red and whites were left
upon the field, and D'Alviano himself, after re-
ceiving wounds in many places, was taken prisoner
by the Lord of V endenesse, brother of the noble
Lord of La Palisse, and in very truth a little lion.
The Count or Pitigliano, seeing his infantry
defeated, would tempt his fate no longer, and
soon retired with his troops. He was pursued,
but not far, as the footsoldiers detained the
French, who, aft;er having done their part, retired,
each to his flag, with little damage. Fourteen or
fifteen thousand of their enemies remained upon
the field. The Lord Bartolomeo was led prisoner
to the lodging of the King, who, aftier dinner, caused
a false alarm to be raised, in order to discover
whether his men would be on the alert if an affair
were really to happen. This Lord D'Alviano was
asked what it could be: he replied in his own
language : ** I can only say that you have a mind to

170 MEMOIRS OP

fight one another; for as tp our inep^ I can ^^mx^
you^ 01^ my life^ they will not visit yoi) this fprt-
i^ight." An() jestingly, as one that well ^i^ew
his nt^tion, l^e i^poke these words : " Tbe s^id
battle took place qx\ the {purtc^endi day of Affiyy
in the year 150^."

THE CHEVAUBR BAYARD. I7|

CHAPTER XXX.

How King Lewis the Twelfth of France gained all the
towns and strongholds of the Venetians, even to Pes-
chiera.

Th£ King of France tamed a day or two pi|
t}ie fidd of battle, Meantupae the Castle of Cara^
vaggio stood a$tomi : but at the end of two houra
it was ^avried^ and* §o.Qie country fellows being
taken tl^er^&i> the c^nquerojirs tried whether their
necks were Sttroi^ enovgh t<^ carry away a battle-
ment. Thisi intimidated the otb€^ strongholds^ ia
such sort that there wa^ 9ot a town or fortified
plaoe which would figh<^ Except the Castle of
Peschiera, and t^t« by holding out^ incurred the,
worc^ coiiseq^ence^^ few of them within escaping-
death or imprisonment. Among tibiese was a Pro-^
yeditore of the Seigiuory with hi^ son, who would
have paid a noble ransom; but that availed them
notlwg^ both being hung upon a tree^ which was>
in my opinion, a great piece of cruelty. A very
bsave €ientletnan» called £& Ijorruiui to whom their

17S MEMOIRS OF

word of honour had been pledged, pleaded warmly
on their behalf with the Grand Master, the King's
Lieutenant General; but was unable to obtain
his suit. The King lodged in this same Castle
of Peschiera, after having got into his possession
all the towns and fortresses he claimed, as Cre-
mona, Crema, Brescia, Bergamo, and an hundred
other little places, every one of which he took in
five or six days, except the Castle of Cremona; that
held out for some time, but surrendered at last. This
Prince did more even : for, by means of the1>attle
he had gained, Ravenna, Forli^ Imola, Faenza,
and many other places which the Venetians held
in Romagna, were ceded to Pope Julius ; and to
the King of Spain Brindici and Otranto, in his
own Kingdom of Naples. The keys of Verona,
Vicenza and Padua were presentefl to himself;
these he put into the hands of the Emperor, who
disputed his right thereto ; but kept some of them
not over well, whereby ill consequences Ensued to
him, as you shall see hereafter.

While these events were taking place, the
Venetian army retreated, much dismayed, toward
Trevisano, and Friuli, imagining that they should
certainly be pursued; which they Were not; a
great misfortune for the Emperor, who, day after

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 173

day, was expected by the King of France in this
little town of Peschiera ; he having promised to
enter a vessel^ accompanied as he should judge fit^
upon, a lake which surrounds part of the said town>
that they might confer together more fully oa
their affairs. Accordingly the Legate d'Amboise
had been sent to him at Rovigo, but could no-
wise induce him to come. Wherefore, when he
returned, bringing with him the Bishop of Goritz,
the Emperor's Ambassador, sent for the purpose
of excusing his master to the King of France in
the best way he could, the said King journeyed
back to Milan in the beginning of July. Mean-
time the town of Padua, into which the Emperor
had sent only eight hundred Lansquenets to guard
it, though it is six miles in circumference, was re-
taken by the Venetiaa forces. Messer. Andrea
Gritti, with another Captain named Lucio Mal-
vezzo, gained entrance therein by a stratagem which
I am going to relate. The Venetians had always
kept up some understanding in the town. And
it is proper to make one observation, that never
were there in this world masters more beloved by
their subjects than they have ever been, entirely
on account of the equal justice they administer
amongst them.

i 74 BlEttOlRfi or

Kow 3rDQ must ui^^rstand that/ in the'l>eghiinng
of Jtdy, which is the time of the second hay
harrest in It&ly^ one Tuesday morning, the said
Captains, Andrea Gritti, and Lucio Makezzo,
«ttne and placed themselves in ambush about a
bow-shot firoin the town of Padua, (the environs
^f which are so fiill of trees that you CQuld see to
no great distance there^) with four hundred gen*
darms, and two thousand foot. Now into this
^otne town much hay was gathered daily, and
the carts are made so large in those quarters
ihat in passing through a gate they make their
way in a manner by force. On the day of the
ambuscade, as soon as it was light, these carts
began to enter the town: four having passed,
after the fifth came six Venetian gendamis, and,
behind each, seated on the - same horse a foot-
soldier furnished with a loaded arquebuse. With
them they took a trumpet, to sound as soon as
they had gained the ^te, by way (^ sumn^nitig
the ambushed body of their force to join them.
The few Lansquenets within were keeping careful
watch, and had left but two gates open, each of
which had constantly at least thirty men to guard
it.

There was a Gentleman in the town, called

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 175

Messet Genddo Magurln, who had been ajiprized
by the Seigniory of this undertaking, and charged
to arm himself with all of the Venetian party, as
soon as he perceived that the afiair wias begun.
No soonier had the fifth cart entered, than the six
gendariAs who followed it began to cry, " Marco/
Marco f* the footsoldiers leapt down, and dis-
charged their guns, with such unerring aim that
each killed his man. The poor Lansquenets,
finding themselves surprised, were much affright-
ed ; but they put then^elves into a posture of
defence, and sounded the alarm. That availed
them little however, for as soon as ever the trum-
peter's blast was heard, the great body approach-
ed, making a tremendous^ noise, and shoutii^g
"Marco/ Marco/ Italia/ Italia/" Inanothcir
quarter the aforesaid Gentleman, Geraldo 3fa^ii-
rin, had done his endeavour in the town, whereby
more than two thousand men issued from the
houses armed with triple-forked spears and jave-
lins: so that the Lansquenets knew not what
to do, but to stand close, and rush all together
into the market-place, where they offered battle.
It was not long ere they were assailed in two or
three places ; but never did men defend them-

176 MEMOIRS OF

selves better ; for they held out two hours before
they were routed.

At length theu: enemies grew so numerous^ that
they could resist no longer ; they were broken,
scattered, and cut to pieces, not one of them ob-
taining mercy. It was a great pity! — ^but they sold
their lives dear: for of them could not die more
than their own number ; but they slew past fif-
teen hundred, as well of the townsmen as of regular
soldiers. However the city of Padua was taken,
and the Count of Pitigliano, who. arrived there
soon after, made aU haste to repair and fortify it,
considering that it would do the Seigniory great
service. When these news came to the ears of
the Emperor, he was well nigh distraught, and'
swore to go thither in person and avenge himself:
which he did. He wrote a letter to the K|ng of
France,* who was still at Milan, requesting that he
would lend him five hundred horse for three
months, to enable him. to chastise the Venetians.
This was granted, and you shall hear what followed
thereupon.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 177

CHAPTER XXXI.

Uow the King t>f France sent the Lord of La Palisse to the
Emperor* s assistance , with five hundred gendarmsy and
many Captains^ ivhereof the good Knight without feat
and without reproach was one.

When the King of France heard that Padua
had revolted^ he was much troubled^ and the more
so because it happened through thefault of the £m-
peror, who had sent no more than eight hundred
Lansquenets to guard such a town. ^ However at
his request he ordered the Lord of la Palisse to
take five hundred of the bravest gezidarms that
Xvere in Italy, and repair to the service of the
Emperor, then about to enter the Paduan« That
Lord, who liked nothing better than such coin-
missions, war being his whole delight, set about
making preparations. As he was quitting the
Castle of Milan he found the good Knight, to
whom he said : " My friend and comrade, shall
we two join company?" Then he recounted
the affair to him at full length. Bayard, delighted

VOL. I. N

178 MEMOIRS OF

to be a partaker in the enterprise^ especially in
the company of la »Palisse, replied courteously ;
" that he might dispose of him at his pleasure."

At this expedition were also present the Baron
of Beam, who commanded part of the Duke of
Nemours his company, the Baron of Conty, who
led three hundred horse, the Lord Theode de Tri-
vulce, the Lord Jules de St. Severin, the Lord
of Humbercourt, Captain la Clayette, the Lord
of la Crote, Lieutenant to the Marquis of Mont-
ferrat, and the good Knight. With the five
hundred gendarms more than two hundred Gentle-
men joined company : among others the Lord of
Bucy's eldest son, cousin german to the Gb*and
Master Chaumont, who gave him twenty of his
horse; and two gallant Gentlemen, the one a
native of Bretagne and a very famous Knight,
named the Lord of Bonnet, the other the Lord
of Mypont, of the Dutchy of Burgundy ; both of
whom the good Knight looked upon as brothers,
and honoured exceedingly, on account of the
great prowess which he knew to be in them. The
gentle Lord of la Palisse, having arranged all his
afiairs, began to march with hi3 companions in
the direction of Peschiera. Meanwhile Lewis
the Twelfth returned to his Kingdom, leaving hi&

THE CHEVAi;.IER BAYARD. 179

Dutchy, and those places which he had conquered
from his enemies^ in a state of tranquillity. I

must observe that, as soon as the Venetians had
retaken Padua, they made an excursion to Vicenza
which surrendered immediately; for it is not a
town to hold out against force. They woidd have
done the same with regard to Verona ; but the
good Lord of la Palisse, who had been apprized
thereof, dislodged with his companions, two hours
before daybreak, from a place called Villa Franca,
and presented himself before the town ; whereby
the Venetians were alarmed^ and retired toward
Vicenza. But, had they gained Verona, the liord
of la Palisse his troops must have been obliged
to return: for the town is strong, and a very
impetuous river runs through it, so that by the
mere efforts of cavalry it would not have been an
easy matter to take it.

Great benefit reaped the Lord of la Palisse
of his diUgence, and of that of the good Knight,
who always led the vancouriers. He had then
but thirty gendarms under him, but of that
number twenty-five deserved to be Captains over
an hundred. This whole troop entered Verona,
where the Bishop of Trent, who was there for
the Emperor, received them with great joy ;

180, MEMOIRS OF

fpi^ he ted been in a terrible consternation* They
ionly remained two days within the town, heartily
welcomed by the inhabitants, and then proceeded
to Vicenza : whence they whom the Seigniory had
placed there, being informed thereof,, decamped,
some to Padua, others to Treviso. In Vicenza
the llord of la Palisse and his companions tarried
five or six days, awaiting sc»ne tidkigs from the
Emperor, who was now said to have taken the
field. When they found that he did not approach,
they left Vicenza, and repaired to a latge village
called Castelfiranco, where they abode a fortnight.
This was ten miles from Padua» Meanwhile
*he Lord of le Reux arrived at the French camp
with some Burgundian gendarms, and about
six thousand Lansquenets, conducted by a noble
Lord of Germany, valiant and marvellously enteiv-
prising, as he hath evinced Ihoughout bis Ufe,
and named the Prince of Anhak. In the be-
ginning of August the Emperor arrived at the

foot of the^hiU below a Castle named Bassano^ and
all his equipage after him, which, though it had no
very high mountain to cross, was eight whole days
before it descended into the plain. The Em*-
peror, when he met the Lord of la Palisse, and
the French Captains, gave them a cordial greet-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARP. 18f

ing. This first interview took place near a little
town called Este, from wliich the Dukes of Fer-
rara take their surname. At that time one of the
finest armies was assembled there which had been
seen for a whole century.

182 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXXII.

How the Emperor Maximilian sat down before Padua^ and

^ what happened during the course of the siege,

The Emperor made the French wait a long
time for him, which they found very irksome,
but when he did reach the plain it was after an
imperial manner : and, had his forces done their
duty, they would have sufficed to the conquest of
a world. It is fitting that I give a description of
his train of artillery, which was as follows : he
had six hundred pieces of ordnance on wheels,
the least whereof was a falcon, and six large brass
bombards, which were not capable of being drawn
on carriages, but were conveyed along, each on
a strong cart, and laden with engines : when to
be employed for the purpose of battery they were
set down upon the ground, on which occasion the
mouth of the piece was raised a little, and a thick
log of wood placed underneath, while behind a
huge target-fence was erected, for fear of its re-
coiling. These cannons were loaded with balls of

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 183

stone, for metal ones could not have been carried,
and were only able to play four times a-day at the
very utmost. The Emperor was accompanied by
at least one hundred and twenty Dukes, Counts,
Marquisses, and other Princes and Lords of Ger-
many, about twelve thousand horse, and five or
six hundred gendarms, from Burgundy and Hai-
nault. The German infantry could hardly be
counted, but they were reckoned at more than
fifty thousand. The Cardinal of Ferrara came to
the Emperor's succour in lieu of his brother, and
brought twelve pieces of artillery, fiite hundred
horse, and three thousand foot. As many, or nearly
so, brought the Cardinal of Mantua. In fine,
including the French troops, the number of com*
batants on the field was csjculated at one hundred
thousand. A great want was experienced in
regard to the artillery, there being means of con-
veyance for not more than one half of it ; and,
when the army marched, part were under the
necessity of remdning to guard it, till the
first division was unloaded in the camp, where
they were to take up their quarters, and then the
cart returned to fetch the rest ; which was exceed-
ing troublesome. The Empero^r got up betimes,
and made his army march forthwith, nor would

184

MEMOIRS OP

he pitch his tent till two or three hours past noon,
which, at that time of year, was by no means^
refreshing to troops with their helmets on.

The first encampment that he made was near
the Palace of the Queen of Cyprus, eight miles^
distant from Padua. There arrived a young
French Gentleman, the Lord of Millaut, a bold
enterprising Captain, and son of a wise and valiant
Knight, the Lord of Alegre, with a thousand or
twelve hundred French adventurers, all chosen
men, and fit for skirmishing. In this camp it was
determined to go and besiege Padua, a council
being held, wherein there was a diversity of
opinions ; for the Emperor's Lieutenant General,
a Greek, named the Lord Constantine, wanted to
do every thing of his own head, which pro-
duced very ill consequences to his master in the end,-
as you shall hear. He lay under some suspicion
of treachery, and the Lord of la Palisse wished
to fight him thereupon, but could never bring
liim to the point. Let us now leave this riiatter,
iill it again become necessary to speak of it. A
resolution was formed at the said council of lay-
ing siege to Padua, and that in the approaches
•the French gendarms should go foremost, to-
gether with die Prince of Anhalt, and his Lans-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 185

quenets, the noblest band of all the Germans:
but that first it was absolutely necessary to take
a little town called Moriselice, where there was a
very strong Castle, six or seven miles from Padua :
because the garrison which the Seigniory had
placed therein, might have terribly harassed the
camp, and intercepted provisions coming to it.

Next morning the army departed, and went to
take up their quarters half a mile from this little
town, which held not out against them, for it was
but of small strength. The Castle might have been
defended for a long time, had the knaves within
been good for any thing ; but their hearts failed
them immediately. The approaches being made,
when the artillery had effected but a very slight
and inconvenient breach, the alarm was sounded
for the commencement of the assault. It was
necessary to go up a good bow-shot, but Captain
Millaut's French adventurers arrived on a sudden,
and seemed as if they had not tasted food for a
week, so light were they. The garrison made
some resistance, but did not stand out long ; for
in a quarter of an hour they were overcome, and
all cut to pieces. These adventurers gained
a rich booty there, among other things seven or
eight and twenty admirable horses. The town

186 MEMOIRS OF

and Castle were given into the hands of the Duke
of Ferrara, who laid claim to them : but he paid
thirty thousand ducats in exchange. Two days
after the taking of Monselice the army removed,
making straight for Padua^ to which siege was
laid.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 187

CHAPTER XXXIII.

H(m the Emperor Masnmilian laid siege to Padita, and of
the gallant approaches made by the French Gentlemen^
together with a great instance of courage exhibited by the
good Knight without fear and without reproach.

After the taking of the town and Castle of
Monselice, and the delivery of them into the hands
of the Cardinal of Ferrara^ who attended for his
brother^ a good garrison was placed therein by
the said Cardinal. The Duke was making war
on the Venetians in a different quarter. That
same year he gave them a defeat on the Po, which
cost them little less than the battle the King of
France won from them. For^ in the intent of lay-
ing waste a portion of territory adjoining the
Ferrarese,. called Polesino di Rovigo, the Vene-
tians embarked fourteen or fifteen gallies on the
river Po, with three or four thousand men therein,
and sailed from Chiozza to Francolino. But the
Duke of Ferrara had constructed two small
fortresses, one near the tower of LoUelin, the

188 MEMOIRS OF

other at Popos, which are opposite to each other,
had placed three or four thousand effective men
within them, and launched four good gallies on
the Po well armed and manned* He knew that
the greater part of his enemies were disembarked,
he sought and conquered them, not one escaping.
Then with his gallies and other great boats he
proceeded to fight their vessels, which were almost
all stripped of their men« Two of them were de-
stroyed, and six taken, with all the crews and
artillery, which consisted . of thirty good brass
cannons, not to mention hand guns. It was a
glorious victory, and won at little expense, except
the death of Count Ludovico della Mirandola,
who was killed by a cannon-ball. The Venetians
sustained a great and grievous loss.

Let us now return to the camp of the Emperor.
The army removed from Monselice, and advanced
in one journey till they were not more than a
mile off Padua, which is a very large city, and
difiicult of approach. Within was the Count of
Pitigliano, accompanied by one thousand gen-
darms, twelve thousand foot, and full two hundred
pieces of artillery : and however closely they were
besieged, the inhabitants could never be deprived
of the use of a canal, which passes through the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 189

town and goes to Venice, that city being only
eighteen miles distant from Padua. When the
army had thus approached the town, the Emperor
assembled aU his Captains, specially the French^
whom lie greatly honoured, to consult when the
siege should be planted. Each delivered his opi-
nion; but It was finally concluded on that the prin^
cipal camp, which Was to contain the Emperor in
person, together with the French, should be pitched
near the gate leading to Vicenza. At another
gate higher up the Cardinal of Ferrara, the Bur-
gundians and Hdnaulters, with ten thousand
Lansquenets, were to be stationed ; at one below
the Cardinal of Mantua, his brother the Lord
Giovanni of Mantua, and the Prince of Anhalf j$
troop of Lansquenets, in order that each of these
two bands might be succoured by the main camp)
if it should be necessary* This arrangement was
approved, and the army had nothing to do but to
march^

The good Knight was ordered to the ap-
proaches, and had in his company the young Lord
of Bucy, and Captains La Clayette and La Crote*
Now in order to reach the gate looking toward
Vicenza it was necessary to enter a large and per*
fectly straight road, where four great barriers had

190 MEMOIRS OF

be^i construeted, two hundred paces from one
another^ with combatants posted at each of them.
On both sides of this way, as is known to those
who have been in Italy, there were ditches, on
which accomit they could only be attacked in
front. On the city walls much artillery was planted,
which the Venetians discharged as thick as hail
upon the French, when they entered the great
road* Notwithstanding that, the good Knight and
his companions began to skirmish, advancing
briskly to the first barricade, at which there ensued
a vigorous contest, and much firing of guns ; how-
ever, it was gained, and the enemies driven back
to the second. If there was good fighting at the
first barrier, at this there was still better. The
young Lord of Bucy was shot in the arm, and
his horse killed under him ; nevertheless it was
not possible to make him retire, and no man fought
more bravely than he that day.

Captain Millaut arrived at this second barricade
with an hundred or an hundred and twenty pea-
sants, whom be had previously exercised, and who
made great havock. I must observe that these
approaches were carried on at mid-day, so that
there was plenty of light to see who fought the
best. The assault endured a good half hour at

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ISl

this second barrier, at the end whereof it was
carried: and so hotly were they pursued who
guarded it, that they had no leisure to remain at
the third, but were forced to abandon it without a
struggle, and betake themselves to the fourth,
which was defended by a thousand or twelve
hundred men, and three or four falconets ; these
began to play along the great road, but did little
execution, except killing two horses. This barri-
cade was but a stone's throw from the city bul*
wark, which inspired the men of the RepubUc with
great resolution to fight well : and they did
accordingly, for the conflict lasted an hour in that
place, being carried on with pikes and arquebuses*
When the good Knight found it continue for such
a length of time, he said to his companions, '^ Gen-
tlemen, these people detain us too long : let us get
down upon our feet, and press forward to therbar-
ricade.'* So they dismounted immediately, to the
number of thirty or forty gendarms, and, raising
their visors, and couching their lances, drove
straight on to the barricade. The gentle Prince
of Anhalt was always by the side of the good
Knight ; with him also was the Lord of Millaut,
attended by two others, one known by the name
^i great John of Picardy, and Captain Maulevrier,

19^ MEMOIRS OF

who made much staughter; but the Venetians
were ever and anon reUeved by fresh forces* The
good Knight, perceiving that, exclaimed aloud :
" Gentlemen, they wiU keep us here six years at
this rate, for they have new succours sent them
continually. Let us make a resolute attack upon
them, and every one follow me,'* To this proposal
all assented : whereon he cried : " Sound,, trum-
peter!" and, like a lion robbed of its whelps^
advanced with his companions to make a fearful
onset, so that he obliged the enemy to retire a
pike's length from the barricade; then calling
out: "On, comrades, they are ours!*' he pro-
ceeded to leap the same, and after him thirty or
forty more, who met with a sharp reception."
However, when the French saw the jeopardy their
companions had put themselves in, they all began
to pass over to them, and, crying: " France!
France! Empire! Empire !*\ made such an
assault upon their enemies that they forced them
-to abandon the place, turn their backs, forsake
-every thing, and retire almost routed into the town*
Thus were the barricades before Padua wOn at
, mid-day, whereby the French, horse as well as
foot, acquired great honour, above all the good
, Knight, to whom thie glory tvas universally ascribed)*

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 193

So the approaches were made, and the artillery
was brought to the edge of the foss, where it re-
mained for six weeks, till such time as the siege
was raised, which happened in the manner that I
shall relate hereafter.

VOL. I. o

194 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Of the great and formidable hattery^ohich was carried on
before Padua, and of the vast breach that was effected
there.

The works being made before Padua^ and the
artillery planted, each repaired to the quarters
assigned him, in the three camps, according to the
order that hath been described. The number of
people was so great that the said camp extended
on all sides over more than four miles of territory:
and it was a remarkable circumstance, that, during
the siege, which lasted about two months, the
foragers never had to go farther than six miles in
the country to procure plenty of hay, corn, oats,
meat, poultry, wine, and other necessaries both for
men and horses. So great abundance was there
that, when the siege was raised, the army burnt
one hundred thousand ducats*^ worth of victuals,
which they had provided in the expectation that
it would have continued longer. This is an inci-
dent ; — let us return to the main subject.

tHE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 195

On the day after the approaches, the cannoniers
began to do their part; the storming lasted
eight days, and was the most impetuous and ter«
rible that had been witnessed for a century before;
above twenty thousand shots of artillery being dis-
charged from the three camps. If the Emperor and
his people served the men of the town unsparingly
with cannon-balls, you may be sure they received
the like measure from them again ; hay, the obli-
gation was returned two-fold. In short the town
•was so well battered that all the three breaches
were made into one. During this time a can-
nonier of the Emperor's was taken, it being dis-
covered that, instead of firing into the town, he
turned his battery on his own people. It was said
that the Lord Constantine instigated him to it,
and, what was worse, that he sent the Count of
Pitigliano daily information of all he designed to
do. I know not whether there were luiy ti^uth in
this or no, but, as for the cannonier, he was put
upon a mortar, and shot piecemeal into the town.
Many invectives were poured upon the Lord Con-
stantine, but the fact could not be proved against
him. The Lord of la Palisse called him a base
villain, and declared he would fight him ; but he
replied nothing to the purpose, and referred the

196 MEMOIRS OF

matter directly to the Emperor, who was quite
infatuated with him.

Now these three breaches, being combined,
formed one of the extent of four or five hun-
dred paces ; which was an excellent passage to
make the attack by ; for as to the ditches they
were of no great consequence. But the Count of
Pitigliano had so well ordered the town within
that, had five hundred thousand men appeared
before it, they could not have entered against th^
will of the inhabitants: I will explain to you how this
was brought about. Behind the breach the Count
had caused a flat-bottomed ditch or trench, twenty
feet deep, and almost as many in width, to be dug,
plenty of fagots and old wood weU sprinkled with
gunpowder being laid therein ; and at every hun-
dred paces there was a bastion of earth furnished
with artillery, which played along thisi trench.
After the enemy should have passed that, were
such a thing possible, the whole Venetian army
assembled iia the city, cavalry and infantry, were
ready to join battle; for there was a fine espla-
nade, on which twenty thousand men, horse and
foot, were capable of being disposed : and behind
were platforms whereon twenty or thirty pieces of
ordnance had been mounted, which they might

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 19T

haye fired over their own forces, without doing
them any hurt, straight to the breach.

Of this terrible danger the French were adver-
tised by certain prisoners, taken in skirmishes, and
sent back on payment of their ransom, to whom
the Count had revealed all these things, In order
that they might represent them to the Lord of la
Palisse, and to the French Captains. Moreover
on dismissing them he spoke these words: ^^ I hope
my friends, with God's aid, that the King of
France and the Seignory of Venice will some day
return to their former state of amity ; and, were it
not for the French who are with the Emperor,
believe me, in less than four and twenty hours, I
would sally from this town, and oblige him dis-
gracefully to raise the siege." I know not how
he could have done that, seeing the numerousness
of his adversaries. These discourses were re--
peated to the Captains of France ; who gave no
heed to them, they being employed by their
master in the service of the Emperor, and bound
to do what he ordered them. I have already de-
scribed the notable breach that had been made in
the town, and which was more than sufficient to
admit one thousand men abreast; whereof the

198 MEMOIRS OF

Emperor was duly certified. He therefore re-
solved on making the assault^ as you will presently
hear. But first I shall speak of an enterprise ex-
ecuted by the good Knight and his companions.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 199

CHAPTER XXXV. *

How the good Knight without fear and without reproach,
during the siege of Padua, made a hostile irruption with
his associates f wherein he acquired great honour.

At the time of the siege of Padua alanns often
came to the Emperor's camp^ as well on account
of the sallies which the townsfolk made, as of
their people which were in garrison at Treviso, a
good and strong town, situated twenty or five
and twenty miles from Padua. Therein, among
other Captains, was Messer Lucio Malvezzo, an
enterprising warrior if there was one upon earth.
Twice or thrice a week did he rouse the Em-
peror's camp without aid of trumpet, and, if he
saw that he could effect any thing, spared him-
self not among his enemies ; on the other hand, if
that was out of his power, he retired very dis-
creetly, never losing a single man.

This course was pursued by him so long that
he came to be prodigiously talked of. From
such a method of proceeding the good Knight

^00 MEMOIRS OF

received great annoyance : and^ without making
any noise about it^ from spies to whom he was so
liberal of money that they would sooner have died
than deceived him^ he gained much intelligence re*
specting the motions of the said Malvezzo ; so that
he determmed to go and meet him in the open
field. Accordingly, seeking two of his com-
panions, who lodged in the same house with him,
the one Captain La Clayette, and the other the
Lord of La Crote, both gallant and victorious
leaders, he thus addressed them: '^ Gentlemen,
this Captain Malvezzo gives us much disturbance.
Day hath scarcely dawned ere he comes and
awakens us ; — no one is spoken of but he; — I am.
not jealous of his great exploits, but grieved that
he is not made to form a different notion of us.
I have learnt much concerning his affairs. If
you will come forth to battle you shall see some-
what ; I hope that we shall meet with him to-
morrow morning; for it is two days since he
gave us the alarm." His comrades both replied^
** We will go wherever you like." " Then let
each of you," 3aid Bayard, " arm thirty of the
bravest gendarms he hath two hours after mid-
night. I viU bring my own company, and the
good fellows that are with me. Bonnet, M ypont>

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ^01

Cossey, Brezon^ and others, whom you know as
well as !• Without blowing a trumpet^ or making
any nOise, let us mount our horses : and depend
upon me for providing an excellent guide." As
he said so it was done> And, between the hours
of two and ^hree, in the month of September, they
went to horse, putting their guide before them,
whom they kept closely guarded by four archers,
and gave to understand that he would receive
good payment if he did his duty, but that,
if he played false, bis life must answer for it.
Bayard had made this regulation, because spies
are frequently arrant knaves, and cause the loss
to fall on which side they please. The one in
question however did his duty very well; and
conducted them fuU ten miles into the country,
till day began to appear. Then they went to
view a great Palace, inclosed by a long wall;
whereon the spy said to the good Knight : ^^ Sir,
should Captain Lucio Malvezzo come to-day out of
Treviso, to visit your camp, he must of necessity
pass this place. If you think fit to conceal your-
self in that edifice, which is now deserted, by reason
of the war, you may see him go by, and he will
not be able to see you," The Captains all ap-
proved of the scheme, and posted themselves with"-

202 MEMOIRS OF

in ; where, after staying about two hours, they
heard a great noise of horses.

The good Knight had made an old archer of
his company, called Monart, a man of as much
experience in war as any living, .climb up into a
dovecot, to discover who these might be that
were about to pass by, and what their number.
The same espied Messer Lucio Malvezzo coming
along at a good distance, accompanied, as far
as he could judge, by one hundred gendarms, with
helmets on their heads, and full two hundred
Albanians, conducted by a Captain of the name
of Scanderbeg, all well mounted, and, to appear-*
ance, effective men. They passed by a stone's
throw from the edifice where the French lay in
ambush. When they had advanced beyond it
Monart joyfully descended, and made his report.
Well pleased were one and all ; and the good
Knight enjoined them to adjust their horses*
girths. Now there was not a page or groom in
the band : for so it had been ordained. He said
to his. companions, " Gentlemen, we have not met
with so noble an adventure these ten years : if we
are brave fellows they are twice as many as we ;
but that is nothing : let us go after them." " Let
us go, let us go !" cried the rest.

THE CHEVALIKR BAYARD. £03

Accordingly, having mounted their horses, they
opened the gate, and set off at a quick trot after
their enemies. They had not gone a mile when
they spied them on a fine large road» Then the
good Knight Sjaid, " Blow, trumpet, blow!"
which he did incontinently. The Venetian Cap-
tains, who had never suspected that there were
people behind them, thought it was some of their
own men who chose to quicken their pace. How-
beit they halted, and long enough to discover
that it was in very deed the enemy. They were
somewhat dismayed to find themselves inclosed
between the Emperor's camp, and those whom
they beheld, so that they must either face them
or do worse. Some comfort however they derived
firom the small number of their pursuers. Captain
Lucio Mahrezzo, with an undaunted mien, enjmned
all his men to fight bravely ; representing to them
that they must of necessity either vanquish or be
vanquished. On both sides of the road were
great ditches. A gendarm, unless very well
mounted, would not have ventured to leap across,
for fear of falling into them. Fight they must
therefore, let it be how it would.

So the trumpets on both sides began to sound,
and they, firom the distance of a bow-shot, or

204f MEMOIRS OF

thereabout, to rush upon each other, one party
crying : " Empire ! Empire ! France ! France /"
the other : " Marco ! Marco r — verily it was a
pleasure to hear them* In this first charge many
men were borne down to the ground. Specially
Bonnet made a push with his lance which pierced
one of the adverse troop through and through*.
Every one did his best. The Albanians quitted
the great road, and deserted their cavalry, in order
to take the French behind; which the good
Knight perceiving said to Captain La Crote:
** Comrade, guard the rear, that we may not be
surrounded. The day is our's." It was done
accordingly, and when the Albanians thought to
approach they were encountered, and soundly
beaten ; insomuch that a dozen remained upon the
ground, and the rest betook themselves to'flight^
The gentle Captain La Crote pursued them not
far, but returned to the main business in band.
However on his arrival he foimd the Venetians
routed, and every one intent upon taking his
prisoner. Messer Lucio Malvezzo, who was ad^
vantageously mounted, quitted the high road, to*
gether with twenty or thirty that were the best
furnished in regard of horses, and made with all
speed for Treviso. They were followed a little

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 205

way ; but vainly, so well did their steeds serve
them, in addition to the hearty endeavour of the
riders. The pursuers therefore retired, and began
to return with their prisoners, which were more
in number than themselves. For there were as
many as an hundred and sixty or an hundred and
eighty taken, whom they deprived of their swords
and maces, and placed in the midst of them*

Arrived at their camp they found the Emperor
walking in the vicinage ; who, spying the great
dust, sent a French Gentleman of his household,
named Louys du Peschin, to learn the occasion
of it : the same quickly returned, and said : '^ Sire^
it is the good Knight Bayard, and Captains La
Clayette and La Crote, who have had the finest
rencounter that hath taken place these hundred
yealrs* They have more prisoners than soldiers,
and have gained two standards." The Emperor
was highly delighted. He drew nigh to the
French, and wished them a good evening, they
saluting him in fashion suitable to so august a
Prince. He commended each Captain in his turn
prodigiously; then said to the good Knight:
" Lord of Bayard, my brother, your master, is
very fortunate in having a servant like you. I
would give an hundred thousand florins a year for

^M)6 MEMOIRS OF

a dozen such.*' The good Knight made answer:
" Sh'e, you are pleased to say so, and for your
commendations most humbly I thank you. Thus
much I have in my power to promise, that, while
my master is your ally, you shall nowhere find a
better servant than myself.**

The Emperor thanked him, and Bayard and
his comrades took their leave and withdrew,
each to his lodgings. Never was so great noise
made before in any camp as this noble enterprise
occasioned, whereof the good Knight carried
away the chief honour ; though, in all companies,
he ascribed the merit of it entirely to his two
companions; for a more sweet, and courteous
Knight the whole world could not produce. I
shall make an end of this discourse, and relate
another excursion which the good Knight took,
unaccompanied save by his own band.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 207

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Of anMer excursion made hy the good Knight without
fear and without reproach, wherein sixty Albanians and
thiiiy cross-bow men were taken.

Three or four days after the excursion which
Captains La Crote and Clayette and the good
Knight made together, this last was informed by
one of his spies, that Captain Scanderbeg and his
Albanians, with a troop of cross-bow men, headed
by Captain Rinaldo Contareni, had retired into
a Castle named Bassano, and that they every day
fell upon those who were coming to the camp,
and on the Lansquenets who were returning into
Germany to secure the cattle they had got from
the enemy: in such sort that in the last two
or three days they had defeated several hun-
dred men, and recovered above four or five hun-
dred cows and oxen, which they had carried
into this Castle of Bassano, And, if they were
willing to encounter them some morning in a pass

208 MEMOIRS OF

at the foot of the mountain below the said Castle,
they could not fail to meet with them.

The good Knight^ who had always found this
spy to be depended on^ and had moreover enriched
him with more than two hundred ducats^ resolved
to go thither^ without saying a word to any body;
for he was very certain, as he understood there
were only two hundred light horse in all, that
he might easily defy that number with his thirty
gendarms, they being all chosen men. However
he had eight or ten Gentlemen with him, who
had accompanied him to the Emperor's camp of
their own accord, and solely for the good will they
bore him. These, with his own company, were not
men to be defeated in a few hours. He told them
of the enterprise he had in contemplation, to
know if they chose to be partakers in it. They
were delighted with the proposal, and desired
nothing better. Wherefore, an hour before day-
break, on a Saturday, in the month of September,
they mounted their horses, and went fifteen miles
without stopping, till they arrived at the pass
whither the spy was conducting them, but so
secretly that they were espied by no one.
This was about the distance of a cannon-shot
from the Castle. There they lay in wait, and had

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ^09

not tarried long when they heard a trumpet in
the said Caistle sounding to horse ; whereat they
were greatly rejoiced.

The good Knight asked his spy what road he
thought they would take. He replied : " Whither-
soever they are bound, they must perforce go
over a little wooden bridge, a mile hence,
which two men only might keep against five hun-
dred. But, when they have passed this bridge,
you shall send a few of your people to guard it,
and hinder them from returning to the Castle, and
I will conduct you behind this mountain to a pass
I know of, so that you shall not fail to meet with
them in the plain, between this spot and the
Palace of the Queen of Cyprus." " Well coun-
selled," quoth the good Knight: " who will remain
at the bridge?" The Lord of Bonnet said : « My
companion Mypont and I will guard it if you please,
and you shall leave some people with us." " I am
willing," said he : " Little John de la Vergne,
and such and such^ to the number of six gendarms,
and ten or twelve archers, shall bear you com-
pany." .

Wbil^ they were discussing this matter they saw
the Albanians and cross-bow men descend from
the Castle, persuaded that they were going

VOL. I. p

^10 MEMOIRS OF

to a marriage-feast^ and to gain the fair spoils they
had done the two preceding days : but it fell out
far otherwise, as you shall hear. When they were
gone by, Bonnet set out for the bridge with his
people, and the good Knight, with the remainder
of his company^ ' for the pass, conducted by the
spy, who guided him so well, that, in less than
half an hour, he brought him to the plain, where
you might have seen a man on horseback six miles
off. They descried their enemies at the distance
of a long culverin shot or thereabouts, on the
way to Vicenza, where they expected to find their
prey. The good Knight called the bastard Du.
Fay, his Standardbearer, and said to him : " Cap-
tain, take twenty of your archers, and go skirmish
with these people. When they see you so few,
they will attack you no doubt ; in that case, tntn

your horses' head^^ as though you were afraid,
and bring them hither; I shall await you by
the side of this mountain, and you shall see
good sport." He needed not twice telling, being
thoroughly versed in the art of war, but begun to
march till he came into the enemy's view.

Captain Scanderbeg, delighted at this rencoun-
ter, begun to march fiercely with his men, till he
recognised the French by the white crosses.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 21 1

Whereat his band commenced an attack upon
them^ crying : " Marco ! Marco /" Du Fay,
who had his lesson by hearty made as though he
were affrighted, and set about returning. He was
briskly pursued, and beaten back to the place
where the good Knight lay in ambush ; he with
his men, helmet on head, and sword in hand,
burst upon them like a lion, shouting " France f
France! Empire ! Empire /" In this first charge
above thirty of the enemy were thrown out of
saddled The assault at the beginning was fierce
and vehement; finally, however, the Albanians and
cross-bow men took to flight, at a great gallop, think-
ing to gain Bassano, the way to which they were
well acquainted with. If they ran their best, the
French pursued their best ; but their Ught horses
went so well that the good Knight would have
lost his prey had it not been for the bridge guarded
by Bonnet, who with his companion Mypont for-
bade the enemies' passing. So that Captain Scan-
derbeg found they must either fight, or fly at a

venture. They preferred the latter course. But
the French made such good use of their spurs

that sixty Albanians and thirty cross-bow men

were taken, with two Captains. The remainder

traversed the country to Trevisano.

212 MEMOIRS OF

Six days before a young Gentleman from Dau-
phiny named Guy Guiflfry, son of the Lord of
Boutieres^ and not above sixteen or seventeen
years old, had been made archer of the good
Knight's company; he was sprung of a good stock,
and had a desire to emulate his kindred. During
the combat he saw the Standardbearer of Rinaldo
Contareni^s cross-bow men throw himself over a
ditch in the intent of escaping. The youth,
desirous to try his strength, leapt after him, and
gave him so hard a thrust with his demi-lance,
that he broke it, and brought the man to the
ground. Then he grasped his sword, and cried
out to him: "Yield, Ensign, or I kill theie !" The
Ensign, who had no wish to die just then, gave
up his sword and flag, and surrendered to the
young lad, who was gladder than if he had got
ten thousand crowns. So he made him remount,
and led him straight to the good Knight, who
caused the retreat to be sounded, having got
more , prisoners than he knew what to do with*
Bonnet saw the -young Boutieres coming from
afar, and said: " Sir, I pray you, look at Guy
coming along with a prisoner and a standard that
he hath taken ;" at these words he arrived. The
good Knight, when he knew of it, received as

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 21S

much pleasure thereat as ever he had done at any
thing in his whole life, and said : " How, Boutieres,
have you won this standard and taken this pri-
soner ?" " Yes, my Lord," replied he : " such
was God's will; he did wisely to surrender^
otherwise I should have killed him." At this all
the company laughed, especially the good Knight,
who was highly pleased, and said : " My good
friend Boutieres, you have made a worthy begin-
ning; God grant you may persevere in the same
course !" And it did so come to pass, for after-
wards, by means of his ileserts, he became Lieu-
tenant ofmn hundred gendarms, which the King
of France gave to the good Knight on account of
his gallant defence of Mesieres against the Em-
peror's army; whereof you will hear in due
season.

After these discourses the good Knight said
to Mypont, Bonnet, and Captain Pierrepont, at that
time his Lieutenant, an honourable, sage, and
valiant Knight, and to those of highest consider-
ation in his company : " Gentlemen, we must have
this Castle, for there is abundance of booty within,
which will fall into the hands of our people."
" That would be well," rejoined they, " but it is
strong, and we have no artillery." " Hold your

^14 MEMOIRS OF

peace!*' said he; "I know a method by which
I can have it in a quarter of an hour." He espied
for the two Captains^ Scanderbeg, and Rinaldo Con-
tareni, and said to them : " Grentlemen, you must
cause this place to be delivered up immediately ;
for I am persuaded it is in your power to do so :
if you refuse, I vow to God, I will have your heads
cut off before the gate this very hour." They
replied that they would effect as much if possible;
and so they did ; for it was held by a nephew of
Scanderbeg's, who gave it up as soon as his uncle
had spoken with hun.

The good Knight and his whole com^ny went
up to the Castle, and there found more than
five hundred cows and oxen, with a great deal of
other booty, which was equally divided, to the
content of every one. The cattle was taken to
Vicenza to be sold. They had their horses well
fed, and got wherewith to regale themselves like-
wise. The good Knight made the two Venetian
Captains sit at his table, and, just as they were
about to finish their repast, the little Boutieres
arrived ; he came to see his Captain, and brought
with him the prisoner he had taken, who was
twice his height, and thirty years of age. Wheu
the good Knight saw him he begun to laugh, and

THE CHEVALI£R BAYARD. 215

said to the two Venetian Captains : " Gentlemen^
this young lad^ who was a page but six days ago,
and whose beard is barely of three years' growth,
hath taken your Standardbearer : it is a strange
circumstance. I know not what is customary with
you ; we French are wont to intrust none but the
most able with our standards." The Venetian
Ensign was abashed, and saw that he had forfeited
his honour on this occasion: so he said in his own
tongue : " Faith, Captain, I surrendered to him
that took me not through fear of him, ifor he of
himself is not a person to make me prisoner. I
might easily have escaped out of his hands, or
of a better warrior than he, but I could not
contend with your whole troop alone." The
good Knight looked at Boutieres, and said : *' Do
you hear what your prisoner says, that you are not
a man to take him ?" The boy was moved, and
replied with heat : " My Lord, I entreat you to
grant me a boon." " Ay, marry," quoth the good
Knight : « what is it V " It is," said he, " that
I may restore to my prisoner his arms, and his
horse, that I may mount myself, and that we may
both go down below there ; if I conquer him a
second time let him look for nothing but death,
which I vow before God he shall receive at my

216. MEMOIRS OF

hands; if he escape, I will give him his
ransom.'* Never had a proposal been made to
the good Knight with which he was better pleased,
and he cried aloud r *' In good sooth you have
my permission." Which, however, proved super-
fluousy 88 ike Venetian would not accept the
challenge, thereby gwiing little honour, and
young Boiitieres, on the other hand/ much.

After dinner the good Knight and the French
remounted and returned to the camp, whither
they brought their prisoners. This noble capture
was talked about for more than eight days, and
the good Knight gained greatapplause on account
of it from the Emperor, and from all the Ger-
mans, Hainaulters, and Burgundians. Specially
the good Lord of la Palisse made marvellous rejoi-
cing thereat ; to him was told the story of the Uttle
Boutieres' exploit, and how he had challenged
his prisoner. What merriment this excited
in the camp may easily be imagined. The
Lord of la Palisse said he had been long ac-
quainted with the race of the Boutieres, and
knew all of that House to be gallant Gentlemen."
Such was the success wherewith this adventure
of the good Knight without fear and without
reproach was attended .

THE CHeVALIER BAYARD. SI 7

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Hifw the Emperor resolved to assault Padua, and of the
reason why he broke off the siege.

I HAVE heretofore related how the artillery of
the Emperor, of the Duke of Ferrara, and of the
Marquis of Mantua had made three breaches,
which coalesced into one half a mile, or little less,
in extent. This the Emperor, accompanied by
his Princes and Lords of Germany, went one
morning to take a survey of. He was amazed at
it, and took great shame to himself, that, accom-
panied by so numerous a force as he was, he had
not ordered the assault to be made before. For,
during the preceding three days, the cannoniers
had only lost their labour by firing into the town,
because in the part they occupied the wall was
completely destroyed. Wherefore, having re-
turned to his own lodging, .which was not more
than a stone*s throw from that of la Palisse, he
called for a French secretary of his, and made him
write a letter to the said Lord in substance as

^18 MEMOIRS OF

follows : " My cousin, I went this morning to view
the breach in the town, which I find more than
sufficient for such as will do their duty, and I deem
it expedient that the attack should be made there
this day. I therefore request of you that, as soon
as you shall hear my great drum sounds which
will be about noon, you will prepare all the French

Gentlemen under your command, and, by order of
my brother, the King of France, in my service, to
repair to the said assault along with my foot-
soldiers. And I hope, with God's aid, that we
shall carry the place."

The same secretary that had writ the letter
was sent with it to the Lord of la Palisse, to whom
this appeared a very strange procedure. How-
ever he dissembled his thoughts, and siud to
the secretary : '^ I am astonished that the Emperor
hath not sent for my companions and me to deli-
berate more advisedly on this affair. However
you may tell him that I shall have them called
hither, and shew them the letter. I believe that
not one will fail of yielding obedience to what the
Emperor is pleased to command.*' The secretary
returned to deliver his message, and the Lord of
la Palisse sent for all the French Captains, who
repaired to his tent. It had already been noised

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 219

throughout the camp that the assault was .to be
made upon the town at mid-day, or soon after.
Then were the priests, (a marvellous circumstance,)
retained by sums of gold to hear ccmfession, all
feeling anxious to be put into a good state at such
a juncture. And many gendarms gave them their
purses to keep: by reason whereof no doubt their
reverences would have been far from displeased
had they, whose money they were intrusted with,
fallen in the assault.

One thing I must remark to the readers of this
history, namely, that so much money had not been
seen for five hundred years in any Prince's camp,
as was in this. Not a day passed but three or four
hundred Lansquenets stole away into Germany
carrying off cows, oxen, beds, corn, silk for
spinning, and other useful articles. So that the
loss sustained by the Paduan, as well in moveables,
as in houses and Palaces burnt and destroyed,
amounted to two millions of crowns. Now let us
return to our subject. The French Captains,
on arriving at the lodging of the Lord of la Palisse,
were accosted by him in these words : " Gentle-
men, it is fit we dine : for I have something to tell
you, which, if you heard it beforehand, might

220 MEMOIRS OF

perhaps prevent you from making good cheer."
These words were spoken in jest^ for he knew his
companions well, and that not one among them but
was a second Hector, nay Orlando ; particularly
the good Knight, who was never in his life over-
come by aught he either saw or heard.

During dinner they did nothing but break jests
on one another. The Lord of la Palisse ever
bent his raillery upon the Lord of Humbercourt,
who paid him back in his own coin, with all
honourable and pleitsant speeches. I believe the
names of the French Captains assembled there
havebeenmentioned already; and it is my opinion
that the whole of the rest of Europe could not
have furnished as many like unto them. After
dinner all were ordered to quit the apartment ex*
cept the Captain^; to them the Lord of la Palisse
communicated the Emperor's letter, which was
read twice over, in order to the better understand-
ing thereof. This done, each looked laughing at
the other, to see who would begin to speak first.
So the Lord of Humbercourt said, addressing
himself to the Lord of la Palisse : " There needs
not so much pondering, my Lord ; send word to
the Emperor that we are all in readiness. I begin

THE CHEV4LIER BAYARD. 221

to tire of the country^ fot the nights are cold, and
moreover good wines are about to fail us." Where-
at every one laughed.

There was none of the Captains that did not
speak before the good Knight, and all agreed to
the Lord of Humbercourt's proposal. The Lord
of la Palisse looked at him/ and perceived that he
pretended to be picking his teeth, as though he
had not heard what his companions had proposed.
So he said smiling : *^Ha! you Hercules of France,
what say you to the matter ? This is no time to
pick teeth : the Emperor must have our answer
forthwith.''

The good Knight, who had ever a habit of
jesting, replied pleasantly : " If we are to believe
my Lord of Humbercourt, we have nothing to do
but to proceed, one and all of us, straight to the
breach. Yet, as I conceive it sorry pastime for
gendarms to go afoot, I would willingly be excused.
However, since I needs must deliver my opinion,
you shall have it. The Emperor commands in
his letter that you should make all the French
Gentlemen go on foot to the assault, together
with his Lansquenets. For my particular,
though I am not possessed of much wealth, yet I
am a Gentleman. All of you are great Lords, and

222 MEMOIRS^ OF

of great families. So are many of our gendarms.
Does the Emperor deem it a fitting thing to place
such a number of noble persons in risk and
jeopardy along with footsoldiers, whereof one is
a shoe-maker, another a baker, another a blacks
smith, mechanics who are not so chary of their
honour as men of high degree ? There is some-
thing unseemly in . this arrangement, saving his
grace. My advice is, that you, my Lord," pursued
he^ addressing la Palisse, ^' should return the
Emperor the following reply: namely, that you
have assembled your Captains agreeably to his
desire, and that they are determined to execute
his orders, according as they were instructed by
'the King, their master. He knows well that the
King of France admits none but persons of gentle
birth into the number of his ordinary men of arms.
To put such among footsoldiers, who are of low
rank, would be treating them with too great a want
of consideration. But there are many Counts,
Lords, and Gentlemen of Germany; let him order
them to go on foot, with the gendarms of France,
who, in that case, will readily shew them thfe way.
His Lansquenets xtiay follow, if the enterprise
afford a prospect of success." When the good
Knight had uttered his sentiments they were com-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 2^

bated by no one, but were accounted just and
reasonable. So this reply was returned to the
Emperor, who thought it a very proper one, and
forthwith had his drums and trumpets hastily
sounded, to call together his retinue, which con-
tained all the Princes, Lords, and Captains of Ger-
many, Burgundy, and Hainault. Being met,
they were informed by the Emperor how he had
resolved upon assaulting the town within an hour,
and had communicated this his intention to the
French Gentlemen, who were ready enough to do
their parts in the undertaking : but had besought
him that the Gentlemen of Germany might go
along with them, in which case they would willingly
lead the way* " Wherefore, Gentlemen," said he,
" I entreat you to accompany them on foot. And
I hope, with God's aid, we shall vanquish our
enemies in the first assault." As soon as the Em-
peror had done speaking, there suddenly arose a
strange and marvellous commotion among his
Germans, which continued for half an hour ere it
could be allayed. Then one appointed to answer
for all declared that they were not fit persons to
go on foot, or be sent to a breach ; and that it was
their place to fight on horseback like Gentlemen."
This was the only reply the Emperor could obtain

224 MEMOIRS OF

from them. But, although it was by no means
consonant to his wish, nor did exceedingly please
him, he uttered never a word, save: " Well, Gen-
tlemen, we must then consider what is best to be
done." Thereupon he sent directly for a Gen-
tleman of his, named Rocandolf, who went
continually to the French as Ambassador, in fact
lie was with them during most part of the siege,
and thus bespoke him : " Go to the lodging of my
cousin, the Lord of la Palisse ; commend me to
him, and to all the French Captains you shall find
in his company, and tell them the assault will
not be made to day.*' He delivered his message,
and all went to doff their armour, some glad and
others sorry. Certes the priests were not over
delighted, they being obliged to restore what had
been given into their keeping.' I know not how
it came about, nor who advised the measure, but
the night after this conference the Emperor re-
moved, in one journey, more than forty miles from
the camp, and ordered his people to raise the
siege ; which was done, as I am going to relate.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 225

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

How the Emperor withdrew from the camp before Padua,
when he found that his Germans would not make the
assault.

It may well be imagined how angry the Emperor
was when he saw the willingness of the French
Captains^ and that his Germans would do nothing
for him. The gentle Prince of Anhalt differed
from the rest in this matter ; and would have been
ready enough to comply with the desire of the
Emperor, offering his services to him, and like-
wise seeking out the French Captains, for the
purpose of justifying himself to them. Amid the
other leaders of his bands was one named Captain
Jacob, who afterwards entered ifito the service of the
King of France, and fell at the battle of Ravenna,
which will come to be treated of hereafter. The
same had daily skirmishes in company with the
French, and was richly endowed with courage and
every honourable quality. But these two Germans
could not supply the place of all.

VOL, I. Q

gS6 MEMOIRS OF

The Emperor, swelling with rage and vexation,
two hours before dawn, on the following day, left
his camp as quietly as possible, accompanied by five
or six hundred of his most familiar servants, and
removed in one journey to a distance of forty miles
making towards Germany. He sent the Lord
Constantino, his Lieutenant General, and the
Lord of laPalisse word, that they must raise the
siege as honourably as they could. All were
amazed at this sort of conduct, but there was no
help for it. The Captains, Frenchmen, Ger-
mans, and Burgundians, holding counsel together,
agreed to raise the siege, the executing of which
was very troublesome and inconvenient, because
there were six or seven and twenty pieces of
artillery before the town, and carriages for not
one half of them. The French were ordered to
keep guard while the artillery was removed. But
the noble Prince of Anhalt, well acquainted with
the base temper of his countrymen, kept close to the
ordnance, with his band of seven or eight hundred
men, which redounded greatly to his honour.
For they were obliged to continue fighting firom
break of day till two hours of the night had
elapsed, and took their food, if at all, not much
at their ease, as there were constantly great and

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 227

terrible alarms, they of the town making many
fearful sallies. Moreover it was necessary to
convey part of the ordnance to the camp where
they were about to take up their quarters^ to leave
it there, and bring back the horses and ox^n to
fetch the remainder. The siege was raised with-
out any loss either of the Emperor's people or of
the French. One very ill deed was committed by
the Lansquenets, who set fire to all their lodgings,
and to every thing they passed by.

The good Knight, out of a charitable spirit,
caused seven or eight of his gendarms to remain
in a handsome house, where he had lodged
during the siege, to save it from the fire till the
Lansquenets had gone by, and, of a truth, such
incendiaries were little to his liking. The army
went from camp to camp till they arrived at
Vicenza, whither the Emperor sent some presents
to the Lord of la Palisse, and all the French Cap-
tains, according to his ability: for he was very
liberal, and it would have been impossible to find
a better Prince than himself, had he possessed
wherewith to be generous. He had one fault,
that of never confiding in any one, and the keeping
his enterprises so secret hath been a great disad-
vantage to him throughout his life. Most of the

228 MEMOIRS OF

Germans left Vicenza ; but part remained in the
city to guard it with the Lord of le Reu. So the
Lord of la Palisse and his companions returned
on AU-Saints day to the Dutchy of Milan, except
the good Knight without fear and without re-
proach, who remained some time in garrison at
Verona, and received much honour there, as you
will hear. The Venetians still held a town called
Lignago, where they had a great garrison, and
often made incursions upon them of the Veronese.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 229

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Hato the good Knight without fear and without reproach^
being at Verona, made an incursion upon the Venetians,
in which he was taken and rescued twice in one day,, and
what was the upshot of all tlds.

The good Knight was ordered to be in garrison
at Verona, with three or four hundred gendarmSj
which the King of France lent the Emperor*
Thither came shortly after they that were for the
said Emperor at Vicenza, knowing that town to
be incapable of resistance, and that the Venetians
were marching in great force to besiege it. But
when these latter saw it abandoned they drew off
their army to a village named St. Bonifacio, fif-
teen or eighteen miles from Verona. It was hard
upon the winter season, and the soldiers within
the town were imder the necessity of sending to
seek forage for their horses, sometimes from a
great distance, through which both grooms and
beasts were so often lost that they found it needful
to furnish them with a convoy. But scarce a day

230 MEMOIRS QF

passed that they fell not in with the enemy, and that
a sharp conflict did not take place. On the side
of the Venetians was a Captain Giovanni Paolo
Manfrone^ a very brave and enterprising person^
who made hostile incursions every day to the very
gates of Verona. He did this so long that the
good Knight was irritated^ and resolved, the
first day the foragers went afield, to be their
escort himself, and to put in practice some warlike
stratagem. So secretly however could he not
execute his purpose but Captain Manfrone got
notice of it firom a spy that dwelt at his lodg-
ings.

Wherefore he determined to take such an
effectual force with him when he went out into
the country, that, if he met the good Knight, he
might make him quit the field with disgrace. One
Thursday morning the foragers were sent out of
Verona, followed by thirty or forty gendarms, and
others under the conduct of Captain Pierrepont,
the good Knight's Lieutenant, a \^ise and cautious
man. They quitted the main road, to go in search
of the victualling houses, and to make their bar-
gains. The good Knight, accompanied by an
hundred gendarms, thinking to be undiscovered^
was gone to throw himself into a village on the

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD* £31

high road, called St. Martino, six miles from
Verona. He sent some scouts to look abroad,
who were not long ere they spied their enemies,
five hundred horse or thereabout in number,
marching straight toward them who were gone in
search of provisions. They came and made their
report to the good Knight, who was delighted
thereat, and instantly mounted his horse, to go
and encounter them along with his men.

Captain Manfrone, who had been warned of this
enterprise by the spy, had ambushed five or six
hundred pikemen and arquebusiers, infantry, in a
Palace thereabout, having taken great pains to
make them understand what they were to do;
and among other things he told them they must
not come forth till they saw him retire, and the
French pursue him ; as he should make pretence
to fly, and by that means should not fail to
surround and defeat them. The good Knight,
having gone out into the country, had not
advanced two miles ere he saw his enemies
fair before him. He marched straight up to them,
and crying, " Empire I et France T would have
charged them. They made some show of resist-
ance, but, on seeing him approach, began to re-
treat along a .road straight to their ambuscade.

2S^ MEMOIRS OF

which they passed a little way; then stopping
shorty and crying, " Marco / Marco /" began to
tiefend themselves valiantly. The infantry quitted
their place of concealment, with a terrible outcry,
and rushed upon the French, dischar^ng a great
number of guns ; whereby the _good Knight's
horse was shot, and he fell unfortunately with
one foot under the animal. His men, who would
sooner have died than have left him there, made
a great onset, and one, of the name of Grandmont,
dismounted, and freed his Captain from peril.
But, manfully as they fought, they could not escape
remaining prisoners among the foot, who were
going to have disarmed them. Captain Pierre-
pont, who was with the foragers> hearing the noise,
galloped* immediately to the spot. He came in
time to find his Captain and Grandmont at an ill
pass ; the enemies were then taking them out of
the crowd, in order to conduct them away securely.
As may well be supposed, the good Knight was
overjoyed, and like a lion- struck them who held
him, whereat they suddenly relinquished their
captive, and withdrew to their troop, who fought
furiously, as well as the remainder of the French.
The good Knight and Grandmont were quickly
furnished with fresh steeds, and returned directly

THE CliEYALIER BAYARD. 233

to assist their men, who had much to contend
with, being assailed before and behind ; but when
rejoined by Bayard and Pierrepont they were
greatly relieved. Nevertheless the parties were
very ill matched, the Venetians being as four to
one against them, add to which that their arque^
busiers did the French a vast deal of mischief.

At this conjuncture the good Knight observed
to Pierrepont: " Captain, if we do not gain the
high road we are undone : if we once get thither,
we can make off in spite of them, and, by God's help,
without loss." ^' I am of the same opinion," said
Captain Pierrepont. Accordingly they began, still
fighting, to make toward the high road, which they
reached, but not without undergoing a great deal.
However they had lost no men as yet, while forty
or fifty of the enemy's infantry had fallen, and
seven or eight of their horse. When the good
Knight and the French were on the high road
leading to Verona, they began to retreat as closely
and quietly as possible, and, at every two hundred
paces, turned round upon their enemies in a won-
derfully gallant manner. But on both their wings
they had the Venetian foot constantly firing upon
them; insomuch that, at the last charge, they
killed the horse of the good Knight, who, feeling

^4 MEMOXRS OF

him stagger, leapt down upon the ground, sword
m hand, and performed miracles of prowess. But
he was soon surrounded, and it would have gone
ill with him, had not his Standardbearer, Du Fay,
and his archers, made so ftirious a charge, that
they rescued their Captain from the midst of the
Venetian troop, placed him on horseback in spite
of their teeth, and then fell back together to the
rest of their {)arty. The night now approaching.
Bayard commanded his men to make no more
attacks, declaring that it was sufficient for them to
retire without loss of honour, as they did, to St.
Martino, whence they had set out in the morning.
There was a bridge furnished with barriers, at the
end of which they halted. Captain Manfrone saw
plainly that he could do them no more damage^
and also that they might receive succours from
Verona. So he caused the retreat to be sounded,
and set about returning to St. Bonifacio, preceded
by his foot, who were very weary of this day's work,
having fought four or five hours. They chose to
tarry in a village four or five miles from the one just
mentioned. But Captain Manfrone, who was not
of their mind, returned with his own troop, much
out of humour at having been used so roughly,
and. by such a handful of men. The good Knight

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. , £35

and hii^ people lodged that evening in the village
of St. Martino^ where they made good cheer with
the provisions they had^ discoursing of their admi-
rable retreat : for they had only lost one archer,
and had four horses killed, their adversaries hav
ing sustained a heavy loss in comparison. Mean-
time one of the spies from the village of St. Boni-
facio arrived. He was brought before the good
Knight, who asked him what their enemies were
doing. He made answer : " Nothing further. A
great troop of them are within St. Bonifacio, and
they have spread a report that they shall speedily get
possession of Verona, and fancy they have much
intelligence within the town. Just as I was depart-
ing, Captain Manfrone arrived, terribly heated and
chafed; I heard he said that he was come from
battle, and had met with devils of hell instead of
men. And in my way hither, four or five miles from
this place, I passed through a village full of their
foot, who are lodging there, and who appear
heartily weary, to look at them." Then said
the good Knight, " 111 lay my life they are the
infantry we fought with to-day, who have not
chosen to go as far as St. Bonifacio. If you please
they are in our hands* The moon shines bright>

236 MEMOIRS OF

let us give our horses a fresh feed^ and go rouse
them in the space of three or four hours."

The scheme was approved of: — they got ready
their horses as well as they could, and, after having
set the watch, addressed themselves to repose.
But the good Knight, taken up with the contem-
plation of his enterprise, slept very Uttle ; and about
three hours past midnight, he and his people got
on horseback without any noise, and went straight
to that village where the Venetian infantry had
taken up their quarters. They found them sleep-
ing like swine, without any watch, or a very bad
one, at least. On arriving, they cried, " JEmpire/
Empire/ France/ France/ Kill/ Kill/'' at this
joyous chaunt the country people awoke, and
issued from their houses one after another, but
were dispatched like cattle. The Venetian Cap-
tain, with two or three hundred men, repaired
to the market-place of the village, thinking
there to muster his forces and gather strength ;
but he had not time allowed him for this, being
assailed in so many places, that he and all his
people were vanquished and routed, and only
three remained aUve, the Captain, and two other
Gentlemen, brothers ; in exchange for whom^ on

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 237

thei|r release, two French Gentlemen were set free
from the prisons of the Seignory of Venice. When
the good Knight had entirely, and to his great
honour, completed his enterprise, he would tarry
no longer, dreading some mishap. So he returned
with his people into Verona, where he was joyfully
received. On the other hand the Venetians, when
they h^ard of the loss of their people, were much
afflicted : and Messer Andrea Gritti, Proveditore*
of the Seignory, strove to throw the blame on Cap-
tain Manfrone, because he had left them behind.
But he vindicated himself satis&ctorily, saying,
that it was not in his power to get them out of the
village where they were defeated, and that he had
warned them strongly of the disaster, but could
not make them Usten to reason. However in his
own mind he meditated revenging himself in a few
days : but he only augmented his disgrace, as you
will hear.

^8 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XL.

H<m the good Knight had like to have been betrayed by
a spy, who had promised Captain Giovanni Paolo Man-
frone to put him into his hands, and what came of it in the
end.

Seven or eight days after this fine adventure,
Captain Manfrone, very ill pleased at meeting with
so grievous a discomfiture and repulse, and at
having his men killed and made prisoners, while
the enemy received little or no damage, resolved
to take vengeance in some way or other. He
had a spy, who often went backward and forward
from Verona to St. Bonifacio, and served both
him and the good Knight, persuading each that he
was intent upon no other than his interest. But
these spies in their hearts ever incline more to one
than another, as this did to Captain M an&one ;
who said to him one day, after thinking a little
upon the matter: " You must needs go to
Verona, and tell Captain Bayard that the Seig-
nory of Venice hath written word to the Proved!-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 239

tore that he is to despatch me to Lignago for the
security of the place ; because the Captain now
there is to be fetched away, and sent into the
Levant, with a number of gallies ; that to your
certain knowledge I shall set out to-morrow at
break of day, with three hundred light horse ; and
that infantry I take none. I am certain his spirit
is so elated that he will not suffer me to pass
without coming to attack me; which if he do
attempt, I expect he will hardly escape being
either killed or taken, as I shall bring two hun-
dred horse, and as many thousand foot, which I
shall place in ambush at Isola della Scala ; when
I approach the same I should like to fall in with
them. If you discharge your commission well, I
promise on my honour to give you an hundred
golden ducats." Spies, as every one knows, are
created by Dame Avarice alone, and therefore, if
out of six that are taken, one escape, he hath
reason to thank God ; seeing that the true remedy
for the disease they are cursed with, is an halter.
Now this fellow assured Captain Manfrone
that he could do the business well enough. He
went immediately to the house where the good
Knight lodged at Verona, being well known of
all the servants there, who made sure that he was

240 MEMOIRS OF

entirely at their master's devotion. They brought
the man to him, as he was finishing his supper,
and he received him kindly, saying : " Welcome,
Vincentino ; you have not repaired hither without
a cause ; what news ?" " Very good news, God
be thanked. Sir!" said he. So Bayard rose in-
stantly from table, and took the spy apart, to learn
what it was. He related the affair circumstan-
tially, and made it appear so much to the good
Knight's liking that never man was more delighted
than he. He ordered Vincentino. to be taken
to supper and treated with excellent cheer : then
drawing aside Captain Pierrepont, Captain La Va-
renne, who bore his standard, the Bastard Du Fay,
and a Burgundian Captain, who had supped with
him that evening, and was called my Lord of
Sucre, repeated to them what the spy had told
him, and how Captain Manfrone was about to
remove next day to Lignago, accompanied by no
more than three hundred horse : adding that if
they would shew themselves worthy comrades,
his journey should not be eflfected without striking
of blows, and that the matter required to be quickly
concluded upon. They all found what he said to
their mind : and it was forthwith settled between
them that they should depart at break of day,

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 341

bringing two hundred gendarms apiece. They
wished the Lord of Conty to join them in this
enterprise, and informed him of it, that he might
hold himself in readiness as well as the rest. He
required no long entreaty, being a very courteous
Knight. The matter thus arranged, all went
home to make their preparations for the next
morning; among the rest Captain Sucre, who
had a long way to go, and this was a fortunate
circumstance ; for on his return he observed the
spy that had lately conferred with the good Kniglit
coming out of the house of a Veronese Gentle-
man, thought to be ill affected to the Emperor,
(as indeed he had Marco written in his very
heart,) which made him suspect treason. So
he stopped the spy, and asked him where he had
been. The other knew not what answer to make
on the sudden, and changed colour; which in-
creased his suspicions, and, taking hold of the said
spy, he went straight back to the place where he
had supped. On arriving he found the good
Knight ready to get into bed ; however he wrapped
him in a nightgown, and they two seated themselves
by the fire together, no one else being present.
The spy meantime was given into good keeping.
Then Captain Sucre disclosed to the good

TOL. I. R

2i2 MEMOIRS OF

Knight . the occasion of his sudden return^
namely, his having seen the spy leave the house
of Messer Battista Volteggio, vfho was more
attached to the Venetians than any one upon
earth; which led him to suspect some villany,
" for," said he, " when I surprised him, he was
jnarvellpusly confounded." On hearing this the
good Knight was not without his suspicions, any
more than Captain Sucre. He sent for the
spy and asked him what his business was at
the house of Messer Battista Volteggio. At first
he said he went thither to see a relation of his ;
then he told another story, and in short was con-
victed in five or six words. They sent for thumb-
screws, and put them upon him, to make him
speak after a different fashion. The good Knight
said : " Vincentino, tell the truth, without conceal-
ing any thing, and I promise you, on the word of
a true Gentleman, that, be it what it may, no
injury shall be done you, even though my death
have been plotted ; on the other hand, if I find
you in a lie, I will have you hung and strangled
to-morrow at break of day."

The spy, seeing that he was detected, threw
himself on his knees^ and begged for mercy, which
being assured of, he began to relate every particular

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 243

of the treaison ; how Captain Manfrone had laid
an ambush at Isola della Scala of two hundred
horse and two thousand foot to overpowet the
good Knight ; and how he had visited the house
of Messer Battista Volteggio to apprize him of
the same, and also to shew him by what means
he might deliver up one of the gates of the town
some night to the Proveditore, Messer Andrea
Gritti. These and many other things were
confessed by that vile spy. He declared however
that Volteggio had told him he would have no
hand in so iniquitous a proceeding, and that,
being under allegiance to the Emperor, he was
resolved to live and die faithful to the same.

When he had ended his precious narration the
good Knight said to him: « Vincentino, ill did I
bestow the money I gave you; and within that
body of yours is contained the heart of a base
and wicked man; though indeed I never took
you for any thing else. You richly deserve
death : but since I have pledged my word to the
contrary, no evil shall be done you, and I will have
you put out of the town in safety. But take care
you never return to it while I remain therein;
for, if you do, not all the world shall hinder my
having you hung and strangled." He was taken

244 MEMOIRS OF

out of their presence^ and shut up in an apart-
ment^ till he should be wanted. The good Knight
said to Captain Sucre : " My friend, how shall
we deal with this Captain Manfrone, who thinks
to overcome us by craft ? We must give him the
meeting, and, if we can accomplish wh^t I am
going to tell you, it will be as glorious an exploit
as hath been performed these hundred years."
Sucre replied, " My Lord, command, and you
shall be obeyed." " Go then," said he, " now
directly to the house of the Prince of Anhalt,
commend me humbly to his good graces, and,
after laying the affair fully before him, prevail
upon him to send us two thousand of his Lans-
quenets to-morrow morning: we will conduct them
along with us at a leisurely pace, and leave them
somewhere in ambuscade, and if, before all be
accomplished, you do not behold wonders, lay
the blame upon me."

Captain Sucre departed instantly, and went
straightway to the lodging of the Prince, who
happened to be asleep. He had him awa-
kened ; and, going to him, acquainted him with
all that I have just been relating. The gentle
Prince, who esteemed nothing above war, and
had conceived such an affection for the good

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 245

Knight, among all Gentlemen, on account of his
prowess, that it must have been a strange thing
which he would have refused him, said he
was very sorry that he had not known of this
enterprise sooner, as he would then have joined
in it himself, hut that the good Knight could
dispose of his men better than he could do ; and
he sent directly fol* his secretary to apprize four
or five Captains thereof, who, to make the story
short, were as much in' readiness by day-break,
as the gendarms that had known of the intended
excursion since the evening, and were at the gate
at the same time with them. This excited much
surprise in the Lord of Conty, he having received
no intimation of the matter the night before; and
he asked the good Kjiight what was the meaning
of it, who unravelled the whole scheme to him
from beginning to end. « On my honour," said
the Lord' of Conty, " God willing, we shall do a
noble work this day." The gate being opened,
they took their way toward Isola della Scala.
The good Knight said to Sucre: **You and
the Lansquenets must lie in wait at Servode^^
(this was a Uttle village two miles from Isola,) " and
give yourselves no concern about any thing : for
I will bring the en^my close up to you, whereby

24/6 MEMOIRS OF

you will gain much honour this day, if you be
gallant fellows.'" It was done according to his
words ; on arriving at that village the Lansquenets
remained in ambush ; while the good Knight, the
Lord of Conty, and their troop, proceeded toward
Isola as if they nothing knew who were within
tihat place.

The same looked out upon a noble plain whence
the eye could reach to a great distance on every side-
Thither they went with some light horse to see if
they could descry Captain Manfrone. The good
Knight sent his Standardbearer, Du Fay, attended
by some archers, to skirmish with them, march-
ing leisurely after him with the cavalry. It was
Bpt long ere he saw the Venetian foot sally firom
the town of Isola della Scala, with a troop of
horse. He pretended to be somewhat dismayed^
and bade the trumpet sound to recall the other
troop. J)u Fay, hearing this, retired, agreeably
to the instructions he had received, with all his
men, who kept very close: and, pretending to
make straight for Verona, went softly toward that
village where their Lansquenets were posted^
sending forward an archer to bid Captain Sucre
come forth to battle.

The horse of the Seigniory, flanked by their

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 247

troop of infantry, made quick and frequent charges
upon the French, with such a noise that thimder
could not have been heard at the time, fancying
that they whom they beheld would not be able to
escape them. The French were not routed, but
skirmished discreetly; so that when'they were a
bow-shot from Servode, they discerned the Lans-
quenets, who were coming quietly along in perfect
order, and now discovered themselves, to the great
consternation of the enemy. The good Knight
then said: ^^ Gentlemen, it is time to make the
assault;" this they all did, falling upon the Vene-
tians, who approved themselves good soldiers;
nevertheless many of them were thrown to the
ground: their foot were unable to fly, by reason
of the great distance from any place of refuge.
They were likewise charged by the Lansquenets,
and, incapable of bearing up against then- numbers,
were disordered, overthrown, and all cut to pieces,
not one being taken prisoner* This took place
before the eyes of Captain Manfrone, who did his
duty very well ; however perceiving that, unless
he made his retreat, he should be either killed or
taken, he began to gallop at a great rate toward
St. Bonifacio, which was a long way off. He was

24& MEMOIRS OF

pretty well chased ; but the good Knrght caused
the retreat to be sounded: by reason whereof
every man returned, but not without great gain
of prisoners and horses, and exceeding rich booty.
The Venetians underwent a heavy loss, the whole
of their two thousand foot, and as many as five
and twenty horse, being slain upon this occasion.
About sixty were taken prisoners, and carried to
Verona ; there the French, Burgundians, and
Lansquenets had a joyful reception from their
companions, who were much concerned that they
had not been with them.

Such was the success of this noble enterprise, —
high luck for the good Knight, who received great
commendation from all sorts of people. Returned
to his lodging, he sent for the spy, to whom he
said : " Vincentino, you shall go, as I promised,
to the Venetian camp; moreover ask Captain
Giovanni Paolo Manfirone, whether Captain
Bayard be not as subtile in war as he, and say
that he may find him in the field ready to do battle
with him whenever he listeth." The good Knight
ordered two of his archers to conduct the man out
of the town, which they did. He went straight
to St. Bonifacio, where Manfirone, as soon as he

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 240

set eyes upon him^ had him seized^ hung, and
strangled, saying that he had betrayed him, and
no excuse that he could make was of any avail.

The Venetians still held the town of Lignago,
where they had a numerous garrison ; the inhabi-
tants of the Veronese and they making frequent
incursions upon each other. In this state things
remained during the whole of the winter.

In the beginning of the year 1510, soon after
Easter, the King of France, Lewis XII., was taken
leave of by his nephew, the worthy Duke of Ne*
mours, of whose short life this history will make
ample mention; for he well deserves to be
chronicled in every possible way. He passed
over into Italy, taking with him Captain Louys
d'Ars, a brave and worthy Knight; they were
received, on their arrival, each according to his
quality, by the Lord of Chaumont, Grand Master
of France, and Governor of Milan, and by all the
Captains at that time in Italy, as honourably as
could be, above all by the good Ejiight without
fear and without reproach, who was much loved
of the Duke of Nemours, and of his head Cap-
tain Louys d'Ars. By order of the King of France
the Lord of Molart had also repaired thither,
with two thousand adventurers, and many other

250 MEMOIRS OF

Captains. Then the Grand Master Chaumont
laid siege to the town of Lignago which the
Venetians held: and^ to the end that it might
receive no succours either of men or provisions,
the Lord of Alegre was sent thither with five
hundred horse^ and four or five thousand of the
Lansquenets then at Vicenza, in charge of the
worthy Prince of Anhalt, whoistill had under him
that Captain Jacob that afterwards entered the
service of King Lewis* This place of Lignago stood
a vast deal of cannonading. Moreover there was
much good artillery, especially that of the Duke of
Ferrara, who, among other.pieces, had a culverin
twenty feet long, called by the adventurers the
great devil. In brief, the town and Castle were
carried, and all within, or the major part of them,
put to death. In this taking the Lord of Molart
«md his adventurers behaved very well, and ac-
quired much honour ; for they had no time t6
wait till the breach were of a competent size before
they made the assault. The Lord of Chaumont
appointed Captain La Crete to guard it, with an
hundred gendarms, of whom he had charge under
the Marquis of Montferrat, and a thousand foot
under two Captains, the one named L'Herissoh,
the other, (a Neapolitan,) Giacomo Corse.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. £51

During this siege of Lignago the Lord of
Chaumont sustained a heavy loss in the death of
his uncle^ the Legate D'Amboise^ who had been
the means of procuring him the honours he had
attained unto^ having likewise done great things
for all his family^ by promoting them in the church,
and in other ways : for he completely governed
both Lewis XII. and his Kingdom. He had been
a very wise prelate and a worthy man in his day.
He never would have more than one benefice,
and at his death was only Archbishop of Rouen»
He might have had many had he chosen it.
This lamentable event bitterly afflicted the Lord
of Chaumont, indeed he did not long survive
it : of that however, before other men, he betrayed
little outward semblance, but continued to manage
his master's afiairs as well and wisely as ever.

When he had given his directions at Lignago, he
went to join himself to the Emperor's forces, in the
intent of marching over the territories of the Ve-
netians, and bringing them to reason. A few days
before, the King of Spain had sent to the succour of
the Emperor four hundred Spanish and NeapoUtan
horse, of a marvellous good appearance, under
the conduct of the Duke of Termini ; but they,
being fatigued, were sent to sojourn at Verona.

252 MEMOIRS OF

The armies of the Emperor and of the King of
France advanced to a place called Santa Croce,
where they abode some time^ for it was thought
the Emperor intended to come down to them ;
but that was not the case. During their encamp-
ment^ the heat was so excessive that most who
were there called this the hot camp*

Just before their departure a horrible oc-
currence took place near a great village called
Longara ; all having fled away at this time by
reason of the war^ above two thousand persons^
men and women, and among them those of most
consideration in the flat country, had retired into
a cave, a mile or more in length, within a moun-
tain, and had carried thither abundance of provi-
sions, and also some ammunition and guns to keep
o£f any that would force their way in, which it
would have been almost impossible to effect, as
not more than one man could come in front of
the entrance. The adventurers, the like of whom
are commonly wont to go in search of plunder,
especially such as are good for nothing in war,
came to the mouth of this cavern, which is called
in the Italian tongue the Grotto of Longara.
They had a marvellous desire to enter, but were
besought with all mildness to go away, as nothing

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 253

was to be gained there^ they within having left
their property at their own houses. The miscreants
would not be put o£f by these entreaties, and
sought to break into the cave, but were prevented
from so doing, and some shots were made which
killed two of them. The rest went to fetch
their comrades, who, ready enough to do evil,
repaired to the spot. On arriving they saw
plainly that it would be impossible for. them ever
to get in by force: so they bethought them
of a great piece of baseness and cruelty : right
over against the aperture they placed much wood,
straw, and hay, together with fire, whereby this
cave, which received no air save thence, was
speedily filled with so dreadful a smoke that all
in the inside t|^ereof were stifled, and perished
miserably, without ever being touched by the fire*
When that was extinguished, and people entered
the place, a number of Gentlemen and Gentle-
women were there found lifeless ; one might have
fancied they were sleeping. The adventurers got
much booty there. But the Grand Master, and
all the Captains were marvellously displeased,
especially the good Knight without fear and
without reproach, who busied himself all day
to discover the perpetrators of the action, and

254f MEMOIRS OF

caught two of them, a man with no ears, and
another that had but one. He prosecuted so
strict an examination into their conduct, that they
were led in front of this grotto by the Provost
Marshal, and there hung and strangled by his
executioner, the good Knight choosing to be
present at the time. While this was a doing, be-
hold, as it were by miracle, there comes out of the
cave a young lad, about fifteen or sixteen years
old, apparently more dead than alive, and all
yellow with smoke. He was brought before the
good Knight, who asked him how he had been
preserved. He replied that, when he found the
smoke increase, he went to the extremity of the cave
where there was a very small cleft from the top
of the mountain, and took air through that. He
also told him a grievous thing, that many Gentle-
men and their wives, when they perceived the
cave was about to be set fire to, wished to go out,
seeing they must otherwise perish. But the pea-
sants, who were by much the strongest, would
rtever consent to it, and came before them with
the points of their triple-forked spears, saying
that they should die along with them. Thus the
poor people were assailed both by the fire, and
by one another.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 255

From Longara the camp marched straight to
M onselice which the Venetians had retaken^ and
fortified^ having also lodged a thousand or twelve
hundred men within. On the road the Lord of
Alegre, and the good Knight^ with the Lord
Mercure and his Albanians^ then in the Em-
peror's service, met some light horse belonging
to them of the Seigniory, called Croats, who are
more Turks than Christians, and were come to
see if they could win any thing from the army.
But they made a bad booty ; for all, or most part
of them, were slain after being prison^ra about a
quarter of an hour. Among them the Lord
Mercure recognised the Captain, as he afterwards
said, to be his cousin german, who had thrust
him out of his inheritance in Croatia, occupying
the same by force, and was the greatest enemy
he had in the world. He reminded him of all the
ill he had done him, intimating that vengeance
was now in his hands. The other said that was
true ; but that he had been taken in honest wa.r-
fare, and ought of right to go free, on paying a
ransom, according to his ability, for which he
offered six thousand ducats, and six goodly and
excellent Turkish horses. " We will talk of that
at leisure :" said the Lord Mercure ; " but tell

256 MEMOIRS OF

me on your honour^ if you had me in your power,
as I have you, what would you do with me V*
He replied: " Since you urge it to me so strongly
upon my honour, I must tell you that, if you were
at my mercy, as I am at yours, not all the gold in
the world should save you from being cut to
pieces by my command." " In good sooth," said
the Lord Mercure, " I will deal no worse with you."
So he ordered his Albanians, in his language, to
make use of their scimitars^ and they instantly
fell to work with the same, after such fashion, that
there was not a Captain, or any other that had
not ten strokes after his death. Then they
cut off their heads, and stuck them at the end of
their carbines, saying that they were not Christians.
They had a strange sort of headtire ; it resem-
bled a damsel's hood; and the part that covered
the scull was furnished with five or six pieces of
paper glued together, so that a sword could make
no more impression on it than on a steel cap.

Siege was laid to MonseUc6, which endured a
battery of four or five days, and would never have
been taken, by reason of the fortifications that had
been made there, had not they that held it saUied
out, often a stone's throw from their fort, to skir-
mish with the French adventurers, who desired

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 257

mightily to see what was doing in the inside of tJhe
place. One afternoon Captain Molart's men,
with the Baron of Montfaucon, went unexpectedly
to skirmish with them of the Castle, who came .
boldly to the fight, and performed wonders. In-
somuch that they give the adventurers disgraceful
rebuffs on two or three occasions. Once how-
ever they pursued them too far, and when they
thought to retire found themselves aweary. Which
being perceived by the adventurers, they chased
them with eagerness, so that they entered pro-
miscuously along with the enemy into the place.
When they who guarded it saw that they were
undone they withdrew into a great tower, where
they were immediately besieged, fire being set to
the foot of it. The greater part chose rather to
be burnt than to surrender. The others going
out by the battlements, the adventurers received
them on the points of their pikes. In short very
few of them escaped alive. On the side of the
French there was a Gentleman killed of the name
of Camican, and the Baron of Montfaucon was
dangerously wounded ; he recovered however,
but with very great difficulty.

They had the fortifications of the place repaired
and put a great garrison therein, purposing to go

VOL. I. s

S58 MEMOIRS OF

and lay siege to Padua. But news came tbat
Pope Julius had deserted their cause, and was
going to make war upon the Duke of Ferrara, an
ally of tlie King of France, to whom the said Duke
had despatched a full account of the matter, in
order to obtain succours : which Lewis was very
willing to grant, and directed the Grand Master
by letter to furnish him therewith. This he did,
sending to his assistance the Lords of M ontoison,
of Fontrailles, of le Lude, and the good Knight,
with three or four thousand French foot, and
eight hundred Swiss, whom a Captain, named
Jacob Zemberc, had brought from their own
country as adventurers. On their arrival at
Ferrara they were Very well received by the Dul^e
and Dutchess, and by all the inhabitants.

The Grand Master with the remainder of his
army retired to the Dutchy of Milan, on receiving
information that the Swiss, who a little while
before had forsaken the alliance of the King his
master, were making a descent upon it, and had
already come as far as the bridge of La Treglia.
When he arrived he tarried not at Milan, but, with
his cavalry, the two hundred Gentlemen, and a
small number of foot, went to await them in the
plain of Galeras, and had dl the iron works of

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. S59

the mills, and every kind of victuals, removed from
their road : nay, worse than that, it was said he
caused all the wines at Galereis to be poisoned,
until the Swiss came and drank their fill : but not
a jot was any one of them the worse of it. They
remained but a short space in the country, being
obliged, by the failure of provisions, to return to
their own land, whither they were closely attended
the whole way, in order that they might not set
fire to any of the villages. Some of the French
went to Galeras, and would drink of the wine
that had been poisoned for the Swiss, whereby
there died more than two hundred of them. We
must either say that this happened through the
special interposition of Grod, or that the spice
remained at the bottom of the cask.

I will now leave this subject for a brief space,
and return to the war betwixt the Pope and the
Duke of Ferrara. But first I shall depaint a
strange and perilous adventure which happened
the same year to them of lignago.

%9,

260 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XLI.

How they of the garrison of Lignago made an incursion
upon the Venetians ^ on the information ofsotne spies, who
. betrayed them, whereby they were defeated.

When the gentle . Knight, of La Crote had
ordered his matters within Lignago^ not many days
passed ere he hecame ill^ and in great danger of
dying. He was surrounded by young people and
volunteers^ among whom was a Gentleman, named
Guyon de Cantiers, passing valiant, but. of. more
courage than conduct. The Venetians often came
close up to Lignago, but they that were placed in
garrison there durst not go out, as they had been
charged to do no more than keep it safely* This
Guyon de Cantiers had spies in various quarters,
and contrived to make acquaintance with one of
the town of Montagnana, distant from Lignago
twelve or fifteen miles, who came often to visit
Cantiers in his own fort, and was always telling
him that, if he would go fo^th some day with a

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 261

number of horse and foot, he could not fail of
taking prisoner Messer Andrea Gritti; the Pro vedi-
tore of the Seignory of Venice ; as he oft^n came
to M ontagnana, with two or three hundred light
horse; and that Cantiers and his companions,
placed in ambush near the town, some morning
before daybreak, might make sure of laying hold
on the Proveditore as he came out of the same,
anfd afterwards might take and pillage the town ;
the fellow moreover undertook to point out with
certainty the day on which the attempt might suc-
cessfully be made.

Cantiers, who had a great desire to make iticur-
sidns, and no slight one to gain this noble booty,
assured him that he would not fail on his part, if
Only the other would give him true information.
Which he promised, and, returning to Monta-
gnana, disclosed to him that kept it for the Seig-
nory the trap he had laid for them of Lignago,
adding, that if they would concur with him in
the business, they might rely upon having great
part of the garrison at their mercy, and thereby
might easily retake the place, which was of amazing
importance to them. The Captain of Montagnana
thought his plan feasible, and immediately sent
word of it by an express to the Proveditore, Mes-

g6S MEMOIRS OF

ser Andrea Gritti^ who brought three htmdred
gendarms^ eight hundredlighthorse, and two thou-
sand foot* Of this band^ on arriving within two or
three miles of Montagnana, he sent two hundred
horse and a thousand foot to lie in wait, with in-
structions to let them that should come out of
lagnago pass by« and then to bar their proceedings
They did not forget what they had been en-
joined tO| but played their parts vastly w^ll. The
spy ftom Montagnana went back to speak with
Guyon de Cantiers ; the same gave him a hearty
welcome^ inquiring what brought him to Lignago ;
who* replied with a confident air : ^^ Good news
for yovL, if it please you ; Messer Andrea Gritti
arrives this evening at our town, with two hundred
horse only. If you will depart an hour or two
before daybreak, I will be your guide, and you
shall not fail to lay hands on him." WeU pleased
was Cantiers, and going directly to his comrades,
m particular to a Gentleman who bore their
standard, called the young Malherbe, recounted
to them every tittle of the a&ir. Never was any
thing more highly approved of. As far as their
own inclinations were concerned they were for
going, without any sort of controversy; but it
was fir^t requisite to gain permission. Captain La

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 263

Crote stiD kept his bed^ not being as yet
thoroughly recovered from his malady.

So the two Gentlemen, Cantiers and Malherbe,
went and besought him that he would give them
leave to make an incursion, whereby they should
acquire high honour and great emolument ; and
they rehearsed the enterprise to him from begin-
ning to end. When he had listened to their dis-
course he made answer like a wise and prudent
Knight : *^ Gentlemen, you know that I have this
place intrusted to me on my honour and life, to keep
merely. In case your adventure proved unfortu-
nate, I should be for ever ruined and undone, and
should wear out the remnant of my days in melan-
choly; wherefore I am resolved against granting
you permission." They began to ply him with
the most eamestremonstrances possible, affirming,
that there was no danger, and that they were sure
of their spy. They urged the point so much, that,
half willing, half conquered by their importunity,
he yielded consent. But, sooth to say, it was
almost by force. That gave them no uneasiness,
for their brains were all in a ferment, and they
determined to try their ill fortune, how dear
soever it might cost them.

They informed all their companions of the

S64 MEMOIRS OF

affair^ and gained them over to their bow, and
when they found the time approach, they made
about fifty gendarms mount their horses, under
the command of Malherbe, while Guyon de Can-
tiers conducted nearly three hundred foot. About
two hours after midnight they left Lignago, along
with their treacherous spy, who was guiding them
to the slaughter. Certes there quitted Lignago
that day the very flower of chivalry, as far as
respected hardihood ; but Youth was also of their
company. They went together along the road
which led from Lignago to Montagnana, the foot
before, and the horse by their side. They pro-
ceeded till they approached the first ambuscade
of the men of the Seignory, who were stationed in
a little village; but, suspecting nothing, they,
passed on, till they were a short mile's distance from
Montagnana.

Then said the spy to them ; " Gentlemen, let
me go, and do you remain here^ and stand close ;,
I will go see what is doing in the town, that I may
acquaint you therewith.'* They suffered him to
depart: but tax better had they cut off his head;,
for no sooner was he arrived there than he sent to
Messer Andrea Gritti, and said to him : " Sir, I
have brought you the greater part of them of Li-

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 265

gnago with the rope about their necks ; it is not
possible for one of them to escape^ unless it be
your pleasure^ for they have already passed your
ambuscade^ and are even now a. mile hence."
Messer Andrea Gritti instantly got on horseback,
and all his men with him, both horse and foot :
and, issuing out of the town, sent forward about
an hundred men to skirmish. They very soon met
with the French, who were marvellously rejoiced,
thinking they had no one else to encounter, and
that the Proveditore was in this troop. The
French cavalry began to charge them, and they
turned their backs and fled, till they rejoined the
main body of their force. Which the former
perceiving were much appalled, and, returning to
the foot, they said to them : " We are betrayed,
for there are three thousand men or more ; we
must try to get away." They of the Seignory
followed them with great fury, crying, « Marco/
Marco ! A carne ! A came /"* and rudely
assaulted the French, who put their foot on before,
and their horse in the reat to support them. And
in fact they retreated without loss to the village,
where was the first ambuscade of the Venetians,

♦ « Markl Mark! Kill ! KiUr

266 MEMOIRS OF

and whence they saUied forth at the sound of a
trumpet, according to the mstructions they had
received, and threw themselves between Lignago
and the French. Thus they were inclosed and
assailed on both sides. *And it mtist be acknow-
ledged that, since God created heaven and earth,
there was never better fighting for one day,
according to the number of men. Above four
hours did the conflict last ; yet in all that time the
French, who ever kept retreating, could not be
discomfited.

Messer Andrea Gritti hit upon an expedient,
wluch was to take them in flank by means of some
cross-bow men mounted on horses, who fell upon
the foot and partly threw them into disorder.
Nevertheless they still made for their town ; and
came within four miles of it, but there were forced
to stop, being charged in so many places, that
most part of the gendarms were dismounted, hav-
ing their horses killed under them. When Guyon
de Cantiers saw that all was lost, he rushed amid
the Venetian infantry like a chafed lion, and did
wondrous feats of arms, killing five or six with his
own hand : but his men were too few in number to
cope with their adversaries. He was therefore of
necessity overpowered and slain, with the whole

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. £67

of his three hundred men^ not one of "whom
escaped alive. Captain Malherbe had gone out
into the country with the few horse that he still
had^ and fought for the space of a full hour ; but
in the end was taken prisoner^ with five and twenty
of his companions^ the rest falling on the spot.
To conclude> not a i^gle man got off alive to tell
the tale at Lignago.

When Messer Andrea Ghritti saw that victory
was completely on his side^ he bethought him of
the following stratagem. He caused all the French
infantry that were slain to be stripped and dis-
armed^ and the same number of his own men to be
arrayed in their spoils; he also took the armour
of the gendarmsy their horses^ and plumes, and
gave them to some of his own people. Moreover
he delivered to them an hundred or an hundred
and twenty of his men, whom they led along as
though they were prisoners, and he made them take
three falcons which they of Lignago had brought.
Then said he to them: *^ Go in this guise even to
Lignago, and, when you are near the same,
cry: *^ France/ France/ Victory f Victory f'
They within will think it is their people who have
prevailed; and, in order more fully to possess

26S MEMOIRS OF

them with this idea^ beside their ensigns carry also
two or three of ours. I make no doubt but they
will open their gates to you; in which case do
you rush into the town: I shall be a bow-shot from
you, and at the sound of the trumpet will repair
thither immediately. Thus if you manage the
affiiir well we shall this day retake Lignago/ which
is of great importance to the Seignory, as you all
know."

These injunctions were very well executed, and,
making a show of joy and festivity, they ap-
f>roached within a bow -shot of Lignago, sounding
trumpets and clarions. The Lord of La Crote
had a Lieutenant in the place called Bernard de '
Villars, a wise old Knight, and of great experience.
He went up into the tower of the gateway, to see
these people, who were counterfeiting so great
gladness in order that the gate might be opened to
them. He marked their carriage from afar, and was
startled thereat, saying to one near him : " These
are the horses and accoutrements of our people ;
but it appears to me that the men themselves ride
not after our fashion, and are none of ours, unless
I be mistaken. HI luck may have betid oiir party,
and my heart misgives me that it is so. Descend I

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. . 269

pray you, and cause the draw-bridge to be lowered,
and then to be drawn up. If these be our people
you will know it soon enough : if they be enemies
betake yourself to the barricade. I have here two
pieces loaded ; if it prove necessary you shall be
succoured therewith." At the words of Captain
Bernard his companion descended, thinking to
meet his own townsmen, and cried : ^^ Whom are
you for ? Where is Captain Malherbe ?" They
replied nothing : but, supposing that the bridge
was lowered, put their horses into a gallop. The
other got off as well as he could to the barrier.
Then the two pieces of artillery were discharged,
which stopped them short in their career. Thus
was the town of Lignago saved on that occasion ;
but great shame and loss accrued to the French, as
many perceived. When the poor Lord of la Crote
became acquainted with this sad business he had
Uke to have died of grief. The King of France
was mightily displeased, and went nigh to work
him evil on this score, but his wrath was appeased
by means of the Lord Jean Jacques, who visited
France at that time to stand god-father to the
Lady Renee, daughter of King Lewis XII. and
his wife Anne, Dutchess of Brittany, and used

^0 MEMOIRS OF

many arguments with him in exculpation of the
Lord of la Crote.

Let us now leave this subject^ and return to
Pope Julius 11^ who was marching toward Fer-
rara«

THE CHEVALrSR BAYARD. 271

CHAPTER XLII.

Ham Pope JuUus went in person to the Dutchy of Ferraraj

and laid siege to Mirandola,

Pope Julius, who was hugely desirous to re-
gain- the Dutchy of Ferrara, pretending that it
belonged to the Church, mustered a great army
in the Bolognese, wherewith to enter the said
Dutchy. He lodged on the way in a large village,
betw.een Concordia and Mirandola, called Santo
Felice. The Duke of Ferrara, and all the French
that were with him, had taken up their quarters
twelve miles from Ferrara, between^two branches of
the Po, in a place named L'Ospitaletto, where the
Duke had a bridge of boats made, and took care
that it should be well guarded ; for the enemy
were often skirmished with thereon. The Pope,
on arriving at Santo Felice, sent to the Countess
of Mirandola, natural daughter of the Lord Jean
Jacques de Trivulce, and then a widow, to desire
that she would put her town of Mirandola into

272 MEMOIRS OF

his handsi it being necessary to him in his attempt
upon Ferrara. The Countess^ who, like her father,
was completely in the interest of the French, and
well knew that the King of France favoured and
succoured the Duke of Ferrara, would sooner
have died than have done so. She had with her
a cousin german-of hers, Count Alexandre de Tri-
vulce, who joined her in answering him that had
come on the part of his Holiness. He was told
that he might return when he listed, and tell his
master that the Countess of Mirandola would on
no consideration deliver up her town ; that it was
her own ; and that she would hold it fast, with
God's aid, against all that should seek to take it
from her. The Pope was marvellously incensed
at this repiy, and swore by St. Peter and St,
Paul that he would have it either by fair means
or by foul. So he ordered his nephew the Duke
of Urbino, Captain General of his army, to go and
lay siege to it the next day.

Count Alexandre deTrivulce,wholooked for no
less, sent to beg the Duke of Ferrara and the
French Captains at L'Ospitaletto, which was only
twelve miles off, to send him an hundred good
soldiers, and two cannoniers, seeing that he was
not very well furnished with men, albeit in daily

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 273

expectation of a siege. His request was granted
without hesitation; as the loss of Mirandola
would have been of high concernment to the Duke
of Ferrara, who is a worthy Prince, sage and vigi-^
lant in war^ and that understands almost all the
seven hberal arts, together with many other me-
chanical ones, such as casting artillery, with which
he is as well provided as any Prince, his peer, in
the whole world ; and moreover he knows very
well how to play the same, and to make the car-
riages and balls. We must now quit the subject .
of his virtues, whereof he had and still hath a great
many. By the advice of the French Captains, he
sent to Mirandola the two cannoniers, and the
hundred soldiers that had been asked of him :
with them went two young Gentlemen, the one
from Dauphiny, called Monchenu, a nephew of
the Lord of Montoison, the other a nephew of
the Lord of le Lude, Chantemerle by name, and a
native of the country of Beausse : to whom the
good Knight without fear and without reproach
said on their departure : " My sons, you are
going into the service of the Ladies; approve
yourselves gallant comrades in order to acquire
their favour, and make yourselves talked of. The
town whither you are boimd is a very good and

VOL. I. T

274f MEMOIRS OF

strong one. If it is besieged you will acquire honour
in defending it." The good Knight made them
many other pleasant speeches to encourage them ;
moreover he got on horseback himself along
with his company, to be their escort, and con-
ducted them till they entered the town, where
they were received by the Countess and Count
Alexandre in a very honourable manner. They
had not been there three days ere the siege com-
menced, and the artillery, planted on the border
of the ditch, began to play with great vehemence :
while they of the town, betraying no signs of
terror, returned the same as well as they were
able.

The good Knight, who never grudged money
if he could but learn what the enemy was doing,
had spies, who often brought him news of the
camp and of the Pope, how he was still at Santo
Felice, and designed to set off within a day or two
for the sake of being present at the siege he had
caused to be laid to Mirandola. He likewise sent
back one of the said spies ta Santo Felice, which
was only ten miles distant, to learn for certain when
the Pope would depart : and the same by diligent
inquiry ascertained that he was going to the camp
the next day. So he came and told the good

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 275

Knight thereof, who was very glad to hear it.
For he had formed a plan whereby he hoped to
take the Pope and all his Cardinals. This he
would have achieved, had it not been for an un-
lucky accident which I am going to give the reader
an account of.

276 MEMOIRS OF

CHAPTER XLIII.

Ham the good Knight without fear and without reproach
thought to take the Pope between Santo Felice and Mi-
randola, and what hindered the accomplishment of his
design.

The good Knight went to the Duke of Ferrara
and the Loi*d of Montoison, and said to them:
" Gentlemen^ I am informed that the Pope is
going to leave Santo Felice to-morrow morning
for Mirandola. These two places are six good
miles asunder. I have conceived a project, which,
if you accede to it, will be remembered an hundred
years hence. A couple of miles from Santo
Felice there are two or three fine Palaces, which
have been abandoned by reason of the war; all
this night I have been revolving it in my mind to
go and station myself in one of them with an
hundred gendarms, attended neither by page nor
groom : and to-morrow morning when the Pope
shall remove from Santo Felice, guarded, as I
am informed, by none but his Cardinals, Bishops

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 277

and Prothonotaries^ and an hundred horse, I shall
sally from my ambuscade, and cannot fail to lay
hold on him. It is impossible for the alarm to
reach the camp ere I shall have made my escape,
as it is full ten miles from that place to this. And,
supposing I were pursued, you, my Lord," said
he to the Duke of Ferrara, " with my Lord of
Montoison, will pass the bridge in the morning,
with all the rest of the horse, and will await and
receive me four or five miles hence, if perchance
any disaster should befall me."

Never did any proposal meet with higher
approbation than this scheme of the good Knight's,
and nothing now remained but to put it into act;
which was not long delayed. For, after having
had the horses well fed during the night, he took
an hundred chosen men, and, when all were in
readiness to encounter the shock of battle, went
with his spy, in a leisurely manner, straight to
that little village. He was fortunate enough to
meet no one, man or woman, who might discover
him, and settled himself in his post about an hova
before day. The Pope, being an early riser, was
already up, and, when he saw it grew light, got
into his litter that he might proceed to his camp^
Prothonotaries, Clerks, and officers of all sorts went

^8 MEMOIRS OF

on before to take lodgings, and set out upon their
way unweeting of what was to happen.

As soon as the good Knight heard them he
tarried not, but issued from his ambuscade, and
fell upon the country people, who, much daunted,
teturned at full speed to the place they had
come from, crying, " Alarm / Alarm /" But all
that would not have prevented the Pope, with his
Bishops and Cardinals, from being taken, had it not
been for an accident, very opportune for his HoU-
ness, and equally unfortunate for the good Knight.
Which was this ; when the Pope had got into
his litter, and quitted the road of Santo Felice, he
had not proceeded a stone's throw ere there fell
from heaven the most sharp and violent storm of
snow that had been beheld for an hundred years;
so that the travellers could not see one another by
reason of the impetuosity thereof. The Cardinal
of Pavia, who at that time entirely governed the
Pope, then said to him : " Pater Sahcte, it is im-
possible to go on while this lasts ; indeed, there is
no necessity for it ; methinks you should return
without attempting to proceed &rtHer." The
Pope assented, though not aware of the ambus-
cade. And, as ill luck would have it, when the
fugitives returned, the good Knight pursued them

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 879

at foil speed, without stopping to take any one,
that not being the point he aimed at. Just as he
reached Santo Felice, the Pope was about to enter
the Castle, and was so terror-stricken at the cry
he heard, that, leaping suddenly from his litter
without assistance, he helped to raise the bridge
himself; which was wisely done, for, had he de-
layed while one might say a Pater noster, he would
assuredly have been snapped.

Great was the disappointment of the good
Knight ; for, albeit he knew that the Castle was
not very strong, and might be taken in a quarter
of an hour, he had not a single piece of artil-
lery. Moreover he considered that he should
soon be discovered by them of the camp at Miran-
dola, who might give him a disgraceful overthrow.
He therefore addressed himself to return, after
having taken as many prisoners as he' could;
among others two Bishops, and many baggage
mules, which his gendarms carried away. But
never did man return so melancholy as he at hav-
ing missed such a noble prize, though not by his
own fault; for no enterprise could have been
better, or more skilfully conducted than this was.
When he came up to the Duke of Ferrara, the
Lord of Montoison, and his other companions.

£80 MEMOIRS OF

whom he found six miles from their bridge, ready
to succour and aid him, in citse that had been
necessary, he acquainted them with his ill luck,
and they were much concerned. However they
consoled him as well as they could, arguing, that
the fault lay not in him, and that no man could
have done better. Thus they led him along,
conversing pleasantly, and talking with their pri*
soners, most of whom they sent back on foot by
the way. The two Bishops paid some trifling
ransom, and were permitted to return*

The Pope remained in the Castle of Santo Felice
the whole day, shaking as in an ague-fit after the
terrible consternation he had been thrown mto,
and at night he sent for his nephew, the Duke of
Urbmo, who came to him with four hundred horse,
and conducted him to the leaguer before Miran-
dola, where he abode till the town was taken. He
carried on the siege for three weeks, and would
never have got possession of it, had it not unluckily
happened, that snow fell six days and six nights
without intermission, in such wise that it lay in the
country to the depth of five feet and upwarda*
After which succeeded so hard a frost that the ice in
the ditches 6f Mirandola was more than two feet
thick : and a cannon with its carriage fell theseon

THE CHEVALIER FAYARD. 281

from the edge of one of them, and did not break
it. The Pope's artillery had made two good and
wide breaches. They within had no hope of be-
ing relieved by any one, as the Lord of Chaumont,
Grand Master of France, and Governor of Milaup
confined himself with the rest of his army to
Reggio, which he caused to be daily fortified : sus*
pecting that the Pope, after the taking of Miran^
dola, would repair to that town, he having a vast
force. For he was accompanied by great part of
the King of Spain's army, as well as that of the Vene-
tians, who had entered into an aUiance with him.
The Count Alexandre and the Countess resolved to
surrender the town, stipulating for the lives of
the inhabitants; but the Pope would have all at
his mercy. However he was brought to concede
that point by the procurement of the Duke of
Urbino, who always leaned to the French ; be-
cause the King of France had brought him up in
his youth, and but for him his Holiness would not
have been so gracious.

When news of the taking of Mirandola reached
the Duke of Ferrara's camp, it was hugely dis-
tasteful to the whole company. The Duke
feared that he should be speedily besieged at
Ferrara. He therefore destroyed the bridge he

282 MEMOIRS OF

had made^ and retired with his whole army into
his town, determining to keep it to the last day of
his life. The Pope deigned not to enter Miran-
dola by the gate, but had a bridge made upon
the fbss, and, passmg over that, went in by one of
the breaches. He tarried there some days, devi-
sing of all means in the world whereby to mischief
the Duke of Ferrara.

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 28S

CHAPTER XLIV.

HffW the Pope sait a band of seven or eight thousand men
to besiege a place belonging to the Duke of Ferrara,
called La Bastia ; and how they were defeated through
the advice of the good Knight without fear and without
reproach.

When the Pope was within Mirandola, he one
day called together his nephew and all the Cap-
tains, both of horse and foot, and told them how
he wished to go and lay siege to Ferrara, before
undertaking any thing else ; and was desu*ous to
have their advice in this matter, by what means
the thing might most safely be conducted ; for he
knew that the said town was wonderful strong,
well furnished with good soldiers and with ord*
nance, and that, unless it were deprived of provi-
sions, it would cost him a great deal to take it»
But this was the very point whereby he reckoned
upon subduing the inhabitants, seeing that he pos-
sessed the means of cutting off from them the pas-
sage of the Po, that no provisions could come to

S84 MEMOIRS or

them from above Ferrara, and that from below^
the Venetians would take good care they should
get none. All delivered their opinions^ till one
Captain Giovanni Forte, of the Seigniory of Venice,
it being his turn to speak, addressed himself to
the Pope and said in his language : ^^ Most holy
Father, I have heard the opinions of all the
Gentlemen here present, and, as I apprehend,
they conclude that, by suffering no supplies to
enter Ferrara by the Po, and besieging it by the
island, in pursuance of the plan you propose, the
town will be reduced to a state of starvation in a
few days. I know the territory, whereof the Duke
of Ferrara hath much and good ; abundance of pro-
visions can come to him by Argento, but that might
be provided against. On the other side there is
a country called II Polesino di Sto. Giorgio, which
is so wealthy that, if nothing came to Ferrara
from any other place, it would be able to furnish
the town with provisions for a year. It will be
very difficult to hinder its receiving supplies from
thence without taking a town five and twenty
miles from Ferrara, called la Bastia ; but, vrere
that in our power, I would engage that the town
should be famished in two months, seeing how
large a number of inhabitants it contains*'' No

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 285

sooner had Captain Giovanni Forte finished his
discourse than the Pope said : *^ This stronghold
must be had immediately: I shall never be at
rest till it is taken." So two Spanish Captains
with two hundred gendarms, and this Venetian
Captain with five hundred light horse, and five or
six thousand foot, were appointed to the execution
of the enterprise, and furnished with six pieces
of heavy artillery. Being assembled they set out
on their way, and reached the place without any
rencounter. When the Captain who had to keep
it saw so great a force he was alarmed, and not
without reason. However he resolved to do his
duty, and to inform the Duke his master of the
situation he was in. The Pope's people made
no delay, but, after having encamped, planted
their artillery, and begun to storm the fortress^
The Captain had secretly sent off a man to the
Duke to let him know of the affair, and that if he
were not succoured within four and twenty hours
he should be in a desperate condition; seeing
that he had not men stifiicient for the defence of
the place against the force by which it was assailed.
The messenger made extreme haste, and arrived
at Ferrara about mid-day, having performed the
journey in less than six hours.

286 MEMOIRS OF

The good Knight^ as he was gomg out to his
diversions at a certain gate^ saw the messenger
entering by the same, and inquired who he was ;
the man was brought before him, and, being asked
whence he came, answered boldly : " My Lord,
I come from la Bastia, which is besieged by
seven or eight hundred men : the Captain sends
me to tell the Duke that unless he be succoured
he cannot hold out the whole of to-morrow, if so
be that they make the assault." "How comes
that, my friend ? is the fort so weak ?" " No,"
said the messenger ; " on the contrary it is one
of the best in Italy ; but it contains no more than
five and twenty soldiers, who are not capable of
defending it against the enemy's force." " Come
' then, my friend, I will take you to the Duke."
He and the Lord of Montoison were on their
mules in the market-place, conferring together
on business. They perceived the good Knight
coming along with his man, and conjectured that
he must be a spy. So the Lord of Montoison
addressed himself to the good Knight, and said :
*' You had rather be dead, comrade, than not
take some prize from the enemy every day ; how
much will this prisoner pay for his ransom ?" " In
troth," replied the good Knight, " he is one of

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 287

our own people, and brings us strange news, as
he will tell my Lord," Thereupon the Duke
interrogated him, and then looked at the letter
which the Captain of La Bastia had written ttf
him. As he was reading every one perceived
that he grew pale and changed colour. Having
perused it he shrugged his shoulders, and said:
" If I losQ La Bastia, I may as well abandon
Ferrara, and I see no means of relieving it within
the term prescribed by him that holds it; for he
requires aid to be sent him before to-morrow for
the whole day, and that is impossible." " As
how ?" replied the Lord of Montoison. " Because,"
quoth the Duke, " the place is five and twenty
miles ofi*, and it is necessary. at this time to take
a road, where the men must go one by one for
the space of half a mile. Moreover there is a
pass, wherein, if the enemies were aware of it,
twenty men might hinder ten thousand from pro-
ceeding: but I believe they wot not of it."

The good Knight without fear and without re-
proach, seeing the Duke so dismayed and not with-
out cause, addressed him in the following manner :
** My Lord, when a trifling matter is at stake, we
may leave it in the hands of chance ; but when de-
struction impends over our heads we should strain

288 T^EMOinS OF

^ery nerve to ward it oflf*. Our enemies are besieg-
ing LaBastia, and deem themselves in perfect secu-
rity, because, the Pope's large army being here, they
imagine that we should not dare quit this town, to
go and make them raise the siege. I have thought
of a thing which will be easily executed, and, unless
fate prove extremely adverse, will procure us a great
deal of credit. You have in this town four or five
thousand foot, gallant fellows, well versed in the
arts of war. Let us take two thousand of them,
with Captain Jacob's eight hundred Swiss, and
place them over night in boats upon the water.
You are still masters of the Po as far as Argento.
Those forces will go wait for us at the passage
you speak of. If they arrive first they will take
Argento, and the horse that are in this town
will go by land all night. We will have good
guides, and will contrive by break of day, to reach
La Bastia, and there our comrades and we shall
join company. Our enemies will have no sus-
picion of this enterprise. The pass you mention
is scarce three miles from La Bastia. Before
they have time to place themselves in battle array
we will fall fiercely on them, and my heart fore-
bodes that we shall conquer."

Had one given the Duke an hundred thousand

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ^9

crowns he could not have been more delighted.
He replied smiling : " Upon my honour, my Lord-
of Bayard, nothing is impossible to you ; but upon
my word, if the Gentlemen here hold your counsel
good, I doubt not but we shall deal with the enemy
as you propose. And, for my part, I earnestly
pray that they may so." Then he lifted his cap
from off his head.

The Lord of Montoison, a bold and valiant
Captain, made reply : " My Lord, we need no
entreaties on your part, and are ready to do as you
shall command; for so we were instructed by
the King our master." The same said the Lord
of le Lude, and Captain Fontrailles, both fully
resolved to do their duty. They sent for the Cap-
tains of the foot, and informed them of the scheme,
whereat they were transported with joy. The
Duke secretly caused a number of barks to be
prepared, without making any noise about it ; for
there were people in the town much incUned to
the Pope's interest. The barks being ready, the
infantry, who were good and sure sailors, entered
thereinto about evening.

The cavalry, whom the Duke accompanied in
person, set out upon their way in the beginning
of the night. Having good guides, they were

VOL. I. u

290 MEMOIRS OF

securely conducted, maugre the bad weather, and
iq[)ed so well that, half an hour before daybreak,
the said troops reached the pass, where, to their
infinite satisfaction, they met with no impediment.
In less, than half an hour the barks arrived con-
taining the footsoldiers, who got out and quietly
proceeded to that dangerous passage, a little
bridge, over which but one gendarm could pass
at a time. The same was on a very deep canal
between the Po and La Bastia. They spent a
full hour in passing, so that it grew broad day-
light, which the Duke ill liked, and hearing no
sound of the firing of artillery feared that his
place was lost. But, as he conversed with the
French Captains, three reports struck his ear at
once ; whereby he and all the fair and noble com-
pany were greatly heartened. They were then
not more than a mile from the enemy.

Thereupon the good Knight spoke thus:
" Gentlemen, I have always heard it said that he
who makes no account of his enemy is a madman.
We are hard upon ours, and they are three to
one against us. If they knew of our enterprise
we should doubtless have plenty of trouble with
them : for they have artillery, and we none.
Moreover I have heard that they before La Bastia

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. ^1

are the flower of the Pope's army; we must take
them unprepared, as we can. I am of opinion that
the Bastard du Fay, my Standardbearer, who is a
man skilled in such matters, should go with fifteen
or twenty horse in that direction by which the
enemy came, and give them the alarm. Captain
Pierrepont shall accompany him at the distance
of a bow-shot with an hundred gendarms, by way
of convoy, in case he should be repulsed. And
we will give him Captain Jacob Zemberc with
his Swiss. You, my Lord," said he to the
Duke, " my Lord of Montoison, the Gentlemen
my companions, and myself, will go straight to
the leaguer, whither I will proceed first to raise the
alarm. If Du Fay have done that beforehand,
and they all crowd thither, we will inclose them
between him and us. If our alarm be first given,
Captain Pierrepont and his band of Swiss shall
do the same on their side. This will astound
them so much that they will not know what to do,
and will imagine us three times as numerous as
we really are. Above all let every one of our
trumpets sound to the approach."

Never was any thing more approved ; for be it
known to the readers of this history that the good
Knight was a very regbter of batttles; so that on

992 MEMOIRS OF

account of his great experience every one de*
ferred to his opinion. Xiet us now come to
the point. The two detachments moved off, one
taking the road by which the enemy had come,
as had been appointed^ the other proceeding
straight to the fortress, which they got wkfaki
cannon-shot o^ without being perceived by any*
Du Fay then raised the alarm sharply and
vigorously, which dismayed them of the camp in
a high degree ; however they began to arm, to
mount their horses, and repair to the place where
the alarm had been given. Their foot arranged
themselves in order, and, had they once closed in
combat, the conflict would have been dangerous
and deadly to the Ferrarese, by reason of their
great numbers : but two misfortunes befdl them
both at once. When they who went to repel
Du Fay were two hundred paces off they met
Captain Pierrepont, who fiercely assaulted them,
and beat them at a great rate. The Swiss begin-
ning to march were encountered by their infantry,
who were ranged in order of battle, and very
numerous, being from five to six thousand.
Wherefore the said Swiss were rudely repulsed,
and would have been routed, had they not re-
ceived assistance from the cavalry, who fell upon

THE CHEVALIER BAYARD. 2dS

the enemy's flanks. Meantime there arrived l^e
Duke^ the Lords of Mcmtoison, of le Lude, of
FontraiUes, and the good Knight^ with their horse
and two thousand foot, who attacked their adver-
saries in the rear, so that they were all dismounted.
Captain Fontrailles and the good Knight spied a
troop of horse, three or four hundred in number,
who seemed disposed to rally. So ihey called
thdr ensigns, turned in that direction, crying:
*' France! France! Duke! Duke!'' and charged
them in such a manner that great part of them
were thrown upon the ground.

The enemy fought for a full hour, but at length
lost the field; all escaped that could, but those
were not very many. The Duke and the French
made a terrible slaughter of them; nuHre than
four or five thousand foot and sixty horse being
killed, and above three hundred horses taken^
along with the whole of tb^baggage and artiUery.
So that there was not a Frenchman of them all
but found some difficulty in carrying away his
booty. Why the chroniclers and historians have
not spoken after another fashion from what they
have of this noble battle of La Bastia I am unable
to divine; seeing that one better contested, or with
more hazard, had not taken place for an hundred

S^ MEMOIRS^ &C.

years before. Be that as it may^ this engagement was
necessary to prevent the ruin of the Duke and the
French^ who returned gloriously and triumphantly
into the town, where every one bestowed on them
the highest applause. Above all persons the
good Dutchess, who was the pearl of the world,
gave them a singularly good reception ; entertain-
ing them with marvellous fine feasts and banquets
every day in the Italian fashion. I will venture to
affirm that neither in her own times, nor in those
farther back, hath there been found a more glori-
ous Princess ; for she was beautifiil and good^ mild,
and courteous to all sorts of people. She spoke
Italian, Greek, French, and Spanish, with a Uttle
very good Latin, and composed in all these dif-
ferent languages. Certain it is, that, although
her husband was a wise and valiant Prince, this
Lady, by her amiable qualities, caused great
and good services to be done him.

END OF VOL. I.

L o N don;

PRINTED BY C. ROWORTIl, BILL YARD,
TEMPLE BAR.

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Full text of "The right joyous and pleasant history of the feats, gests, and prowesses of the Chevalier Bayard, the good knight without fear and without reproach"

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